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Written question asked by David Leslie Taylor (Labour) on Monday, 4 February 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 February 2008. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Monday, 18 February 2008 on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

Energy Supply: Meters

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to paragraph 2.1.25 of the 2007 Energy White Paper, what ways of reducing the costs associated with pre-payment meters his Department has considered; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

[holding answer 7 February 2008]: The costs associated with pre-payment meters reflect the higher cost of the meter itself, as well as that of the complex payment and support infrastructures required to support them, involving suppliers, meter owners and thousands of retail outlets.Gas and electricity suppliers have been considering their tariff structures and two companies have equalised their standard credit and prepayment prices for electricity, while one offers prepayment customers a lower price for both fuels than that paid by standard credit customers. In addition, some suppliers offer social tariffs and other measures that benefit their most disadvantaged customers.I will continue to look with Ofgem and the energy companies at ways of reducing the costs associated with pre-payment meters. I also support Ofgem's work to promote access to cheaper payment methods, especially direct debit.The Government will shortly set out their next steps on smart meters. Such meters could significantly reduce the cost of serving a prepayment meter customer.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
185360; 472 c383-4W
Session
2007-08
Related items
Subjects
Energy Meters
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk