In the dark about gas and electricity back-billing?

I already pay by monthly direct debit. I used to get bills every quarter they’ve now moved to an annual statement. I guess this is so people will get annoyed with the lack of information and will therefore like the idea of smart meters more.

It seems to me that a lot of people spend their lives dodging what they owe. Most rational people should know that in this country they ought to receive an energy bill or have a little something in the bank for emergency repairs. If a person does not know who to contact, we have elected representatives to help.

Surely it’s time to stop cosseting the dodgers.

I reckon that Carol Kellar should pay every penny she owes, plus interest, and demonstrate a little responsibility to society. Assuming that someone else was paying the bill is an interesting excuse but not a valid reason for not doing her duty, and the rest of us have been paying for her bills.

I thought that supply companies had a duty to inspect meters periodically. Not all properties use gas, but one without an electricity supply must be fairly uncommon, except in remote areas.

Carol Kellar was correct in assuming someone else was paying for her electricity – all other customers of her supplier. If you were in her position would you have waited 20 years to find out. What would she have done if she had a prolonged power cut, waited until she decided to sell her house to sort it out. The money she saved over that period, approximately £10k, should be donated by her to Age UK to help some impoverished elderly people stay warm this Winter.

How long would you have waited before trying to identify your energy supplier?

“So what exactly are the rules if you haven’t been receiving your bills?” says the introduction.
As you know you have been supplied with something for which you have not paid then it is dishonest not to sort it out. Whether it is a utility, or anything else you have purchased on credit. We complain enough in these conversations about malpractice by companies we deal with; dishonesty by individuals is equally despicable and it is the rest of us who pay for it.

For those interested the final proposals from Ofgem are in the document at the following link:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/decisions/the_retail_market_review_-_implementation_of_simpler_tariff_choices_and_clearer_information.pdf

On the controversial question of tariffs and standing charges:
“Tariff structure and surcharges
2.13. Stakeholders were supportive of our effort to standardise and simplify tariff structures. Some stakeholders do not feel the policy goes far enough and have proposed we consider removing standing charges and adopt a single unit rate structure. While our policy requires suppliers to adopt a standing charge and unit rate structure, we do not specify the level of standing charge and consequently any standing charge can be zero. Ofgem does not regulate prices in the retail energy market, and therefore the level of any prices results entirely from the commercial decisions of energy suppliers. Suppliers have fixed costs which they may look to recover through a standing charge. However, given the level of demand for low or zero standing charge products, in a competitive market we might expect such tariffs to be offered.
2.14. One respondent expressed concern that if wide proliferation of standing charges occurs it may undermine tariff simplicity. Whilst a wide proliferation of standing charges may work against what we are trying to achieve in terms of simplicity and comparability, we consider the potential for this to happen is significantly limited by our proposals to introduce a tariff cap. Moreover, there are benefits if consumers have a degree of choice over the standing charges to which they are exposed. This, in part, is why we are not proposing a range of rules around the standing charge element of our proposed revisions to the tariff structure. As with other areas of the package, we will monitor market developments and do not rule out taking steps to introduce further remedies in the event that there is evidence that more needs to be done to protect consumers and improve competition.”

And on communication
“Cheapest Tariff Messaging (‘CTM’) provides consumers with personalised information on how much they could save by switching tariffs with their current supplier. This is designed to improve consumers‟ awareness of the savings available from switching and prompt them to consider their options.”
which, of course, may also give the customers sufficient information to help them shop around – to see if other suppliers can offer a cheaper annual bill.

Scottish Power have sent my son a bill for £1000 + in respect of a flat he left 16 months ago; he was on a prepayment meter but the bill shows payments as nil – how do they think he obtained electricity other than by feeding the meter ?? I have spoken to Scottish Power who have suspended action for payment while they investigate.