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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what protection is available for people against utility company levies that are added to their bills because they choose not to pay by direct debit. [178668] Mr. Timms: The protection available to utility customers varies according to the industry concerned, each of which is subject to specific regulation. In respect of gas, electricity and telephone, levies are not applied to customers who choose to pay by standard credit, although direct debit customers ordinarily receive a discount because of the lower costs of administering their accounts. Gas and electricity prepayment meter customers will ordinarily pay a higher tariff than other customers because of the costs of the meters and the infrastructure that supports them, but some suppliers do not maintain differentials between their standard credit and prepayment tariffs. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible for matters concerning the water industry.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

178668; 422 c825-6W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Consumers Bank services Billing Fees and charges Discounts Protection Payments Prices Utilities Pre-payment

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk