People paying for their energy via pre-payment meters will soon pay the same as those on direct debits, the Chancellor has announced in his spring Budget.
Jeremy Hunt said prepayment meters currently pay more than comparable customers on direct debit, noting: "Ofgem has already agreed with suppliers a temporary suspension to forced installations of prepayment meters. But today I go further, and confirm we will bring their charges in line with comparable direct debit charges. Under a Conservative government, the energy premium paid by our poorest households is coming to an end."
The Chancellor said the energy price guarantee, which caps average household bills at £2,500, will be extended at its current level from April to June. It had been due to rise to £3,000 in April and the cost of scrapping the planned 20% increase will amount to about £3 billion.
