Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Monday, 10 April 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 April 2000. It was answered by Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke (Labour) on Thursday, 20 April 2000 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what is the annual amount spent by the average consumer on (a) gas and (b) electricity where payment is by (i) a pre-payment meter and (ii) direct debit. - Inc table and ref to "Digest of UK Energy Statistics" and the "Energy Report".

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the annual amount spent by the average consumer on (a) gas and (b) electricity where payment is by (i) a pre-payment meter and (ii) direct debit. [118913] Mrs. Liddell: Provisional estimates of average domestic gas and electricity bills for domestic consumers in 1999 are as follows: Average UK domestic fuel bills{1}--1999 provisional estimatesa £ _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Payment method Standard Quarterly credit Monthly direct debit Pre-payment meter Gas{2} 305 267 318 Electricity{3} 265 256 282 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Averages weighted by customer numbers {2} An annual consumption level of 18,000kWh has been assumed {3} An annual consumption level of 3,300kWh has been assumed. Customers with electric central heating are likely to consume considerably more electricity These figures are published annually in the Department's annual "Digest of UK Energy Statistics" and in the "Energy Report".

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 348 c643W; 118913
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Energy Electricity Natural gas Meters Prices Utilities Pre-payment
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk