An opposition SNP councillor will name for pressing motion to decrease the prices of prepayment meters on these struggling to pay payments.
South Ayrshire SNP Cllr Laura Brennan-Whitefield, seconded by Unbiased Cllr Brian Connolly, will desk a movement at a gathering of the total council on Thursday.
Cllr Brennan-Whitefield’s movement states: “We're presently residing in a cost-of-living disaster, with power prices changing into an rising concern for a lot of members of our group.
“For a few of our most weak members of society they haven't any selection however to simply accept prepayment meters which are sometimes imposed and are sometimes dearer than different choices reminiscent of a direct debit or just enjoying for the power you employ as the common standing fees are larger.”
The movement calls on SAC chief govt Eileen Howatt to write down to power regulator Ofgem ‘to request that this challenge is checked out urgently and that costs for prepayment meters are introduced into line with different fee choices in order that those that are most economically weak will not be paying extra for fundamental utilities.’
Matthew Cole of the Charity Gasoline Financial institution Basis stated that, in addition to the charges typically being larger, prepayment customers are hit tougher throughout winter months.
He stated: “Not like direct debit clients who can soften the blow of value will increase by spreading their power prices over 12 months, prepayment meter customers really feel the influence much more acutely as they don’t have a credit score or buffer to tide them over the heating season and chilly winter months when prices enhance. No cash means no power.”
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