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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Rupert Jones

Energy firms have three weeks to justify direct debit hikes, Kwarteng warns

The business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng
‘The regulator will not hesitate to swiftly enforce compliance, including issuing substantial fines,’ said Kwasi Kwarteng. Photograph: Tayfun Salcı/ZUMA Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

Some energy suppliers have been hiking customers’ direct debit payments by more than is necessary and must explain themselves within three weeks or face punishment, the government has announced.

The comments from the business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, follow reports that soaring energy costs have led to some customers receiving demands that double or even triple their monthly payments.

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