That this House recognises that many small independent businesses, including small shops and pubs, are negatively affected by road and utilities works; notes that some businesses, such as Castle Stores in Mow Cop, near Stoke, have lost as much as £800 per week over a three-month period this year due to the effect of road and utilities work, but have not received adequate compensation for this; further notes that this level of loss can result in small businesses closing, with the licensee of The Station Hotel in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, recently reported being on the verge of closure due to a roadworks scheme costing the pub £20,000 in lost trade, and that the Green Bricks pub in Hull has lost £6,000 a week since November 2015 in an ongoing roadworks scheme, and the licensee has been informed there is no legal obligation for compensation from any avenue; is frustrated that the process to apply for compensation is challenging and time consuming and that it often results in no compensation being given; believes this unfairly discriminates against small businesses, as larger companies have the resources to cope with the disruption or pursue compensation where small business owners do not; and calls on the Government to reform the way small businesses can receive compensation, supporting these small businesses through making it easier for them to claim compensation and increasing the amount of compensation they can receive through a consistent and uniform process.

That this House recognises that many small independent businesses, including small shops and pubs, are negatively affected by road and utilities works; notes that some businesses, such as Castle Stores in Mow Cop, near Stoke, have lost as much as £800 per week over a three-month period this year due...

That this House welcomes World Toilet Day 2015 which falls on 19 November; is concerned that 2.5 billion people are without access to basic sanitation and that 700 million people are without access to safe water globally; recognises the centrality of water, sanitation and hygiene to progress on other key development areas such as health, education and nutrition; acknowledges that two per cent of UK bilateral aid budget is spent on water, sanitation and hygiene; notes that independent polling from May 2015 shows that both MPs and the general public thinks that this amount is and should be far higher; further welcomes that the Government has signed the new global framework including Goal 6 on universal access to water and sanitation by 2030; and calls on the Government to fulfil this commitment by prioritising water, sanitation and hygiene.

That this House welcomes World Toilet Day 2015 which falls on 19 November; is concerned that 2.5 billion people are without access to basic sanitation and that 700 million people are without access to safe water globally; recognises the centrality of water, sanitation and hygiene to progress on other key...

That this House welcomes the work of the Keep Me Posted campaign which believes that all consumers should have the right to choose how they receive bills and statements, whether on paper or online, from service providers including utility companies and banks without financial penalty; notes that approximately 18 million consumers who do not have access to the internet or have basic digital skills are unfairly disadvantaged by service providers that do not offer them this choice; welcomes the support of 78 charities, consumers groups, trades unions and businesses championing the campaign's aims; further welcomes to date the four service providers, Yorkshire Water, Wessex Water, Welsh Water and Principality Building Society, who have pledged to protect 10 million consumers' right to choose without penalty how they receive bills and statements; and calls on other service providers also to offer consumers the choice of how they receive their bills and statements.

That this House welcomes the work of the Keep Me Posted campaign which believes that all consumers should have the right to choose how they receive bills and statements, whether on paper or online, from service providers including utility companies and banks without financial penalty; notes that approximately 18 million...

That this House notes the recent Ofgem report calling on all energy suppliers to treat prepayment meter (PPM) customers fairly; further notes that households need more support in switching to different tariffs and method of supply; believes that companies should abolish the charge for installing PPMs as this adds to debt and investigate the best way to establish a price to beat so that consumers can trust the price they pay is fair; further notes that energy companies apply through the courts for warrants to transfer customers with fuel debt on to PPMs, the very people who are least able to afford high tariffs; further believes that meters should not be routinely used to pay off debt as this leads to self-disconnection; further believes that stronger safeguards are required for the issue of warrants and the authority forcibly to install PPMs where households include vulnerable children or adults; and further notes that the expansion of smart meters into homes presents safeguarding challenges to avoid homes being put at risk of disconnection by a simple click of a mouse.

That this House notes the recent Ofgem report calling on all energy suppliers to treat prepayment meter (PPM) customers fairly; further notes that households need more support in switching to different tariffs and method of supply; believes that companies should abolish the charge for installing PPMs as this adds to...

That this House notes the disproportionate costs incurred mainly by poorer households who pay for their gas and electricity using a prepayment meter; has concerns about the adverse impact of these costs on such households' ability to buy and cook food; acknowledges examples of good practice by individual energy suppliers to address this issue; and calls on Ofgem and energy suppliers to initiate a New Deal on Prepayment Meters, under which each supplier proceeds as soon as possible with Smart Pay As You Go Meters for their poorest customers, publishes the additional costs incurred on supplying and maintaining each prepayment meter, abolishes fees for the installation and termination of a prepayment meter, provides two-week credit tokens to households relying on food parcels and who cannot afford to top up their prepayment meter, and offers rebates to prepayment customers caught out by the standing charge on their meter over the summer months.

That this House notes the disproportionate costs incurred mainly by poorer households who pay for their gas and electricity using a prepayment meter; has concerns about the adverse impact of these costs on such households' ability to buy and cook food; acknowledges examples of good practice by individual energy suppliers...

That this House notes the public's ongoing concern with ever-increasing energy prices; recognises research published by the independent regulator, Ofgem, showing that 68 per cent of those who switched gas suppliers and 70 per cent of those who switched electricity suppliers in 2012/2013 believe they have saved money; commends the campaign launched by comparethemarket.com on this matter; and urges the public to support the Great British Switch on 15 and 16 March by taking advantage of the offer to switch energy supplier without penalty.

That this House notes the public's ongoing concern with ever-increasing energy prices; recognises research published by the independent regulator, Ofgem, showing that 68 per cent of those who switched gas suppliers and 70 per cent of those who switched electricity suppliers in 2012/2013 believe they have saved money; commends the...

That this House condemns Scottish Hydro for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the Regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns Scottish Hydro for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not...

That this House condemns Power NI for charging consumers up to £40 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the Regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns Power NI for charging consumers up to £40 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not...

That this House condemns NPower for charging consumers up to £90 extra per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns NPower for charging consumers up to £90 extra per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not...

That this House condemns First Utility for charging consumers up to £96 extra per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns First Utility for charging consumers up to £96 extra per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do...

That this House condemns M&S Energy for charging consumers up to £80 extra per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns M&S Energy for charging consumers up to £80 extra per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do...

That this House condemns EDF Energy for charging consumers up to £74 per year for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debt; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls on the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns EDF Energy for charging consumers up to £74 per year for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debt; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not...

That this House condemns E.ON for charging consumers up to £70 per year for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls on the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns E.ON for charging consumers up to £70 per year for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have...

That this House condemns Atlantic for charging consumers up to £40 per annum per fuel type for not paying their gas and electric bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account, so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns Atlantic for charging consumers up to £40 per annum per fuel type for not paying their gas and electric bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults...

That this House condemns British Gas for charging consumers an average of £73 extra per annum for not paying their gas and electric bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account, so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns British Gas for charging consumers an average of £73 extra per annum for not paying their gas and electric bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults...

That this House condemns Better Energy for charging consumers 10 pence more per day for not paying their gas and electric bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account, so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns Better Energy for charging consumers 10 pence more per day for not paying their gas and electric bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not...

That this House notes that 45 per cent of the British public do not pay for their electricity by direct debit; believes that charging customers extra for not paying by direct debit is ripping off consumers; condemns Airtricity for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns Atlantic for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns Better Energy for charging consumers up to £38 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns British Gas for charging consumers up to £73 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns Co-operative Energy for charging consumers up to £60 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns EDF Energy for charging consumers up to £73 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns E.on for charging consumers up to £70 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns First Utility for charging consumers up to £96 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns Green Star Energy for charging consumers up to £30 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns M&S Energy for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns Npower for charging consumers up to £90 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns Power NI for charging consumers up to £40 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns Sainsbury's Energy for charging consumers up to £73 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns Scottish Hydro for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns Southern Electric for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns Spark Energy for charging consumers up to £390 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns SSE for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying by direct debit; further condemns SWALEC for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying by direct debit; and calls on the Government to review this issue with a view to changing this situation.

That this House notes that 45 per cent of the British public do not pay for their electricity by direct debit; believes that charging customers extra for not paying by direct debit is ripping off consumers; condemns Airtricity for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying by...

That this House notes that 17 energy companies are effectively charging consumers extra for not paying by direct debit; condemns those companies for that practice; further notes that four energy companies offer other payment methods at no extra cost; concludes that many companies are charging excessive fees to consumers using alternate payment methods; and therefore urges Ofgem and the Government to investigate those charges.

That this House notes that 17 energy companies are effectively charging consumers extra for not paying by direct debit; condemns those companies for that practice; further notes that four energy companies offer other payment methods at no extra cost; concludes that many companies are charging excessive fees to consumers using...

That this House is alarmed about the organisation Camelot's proposal to mix gambling opportunities with bill-payment services such as those for heating, electricity, water and mobile telephone top-ups via their lottery terminals; believes that such operations represent a real threat to vulnerable sections of society, including young people who may be exposed to gambling, and local post offices, which without such exclusive services would be less viable; and urges Government departments to examine fully the potential impact caused by allowing Camelot to expand into these services before any decision is made on this issue.

That this House is alarmed about the organisation Camelot's proposal to mix gambling opportunities with bill-payment services such as those for heating, electricity, water and mobile telephone top-ups via their lottery terminals; believes that such operations represent a real threat to vulnerable sections of society, including young people who may...

That this House calls for a Competition Commission investigation into the relationship between wholesale prices and retail prices offered to consumers by the Big Six energy suppliers, namely British Gas, E.ON, EDF Energy, npower, Scottish and Southern and ScottishPower.

That this House calls for a Competition Commission investigation into the relationship between wholesale prices and retail prices offered to consumers by the Big Six energy suppliers, namely British Gas, E.ON, EDF Energy, npower, Scottish and Southern and ScottishPower.