NEWS STORY: SEPTEMBER 2008

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Energy campaign hots up

light bulb Margaret Davies (left), Sarah Maguire and Paul Goggins MP Campaign trail: Local tenant Margaret Davies (left), Parkway Green's Sarah Maguire and Paul Goggins MP want a fairer deal for people who pay by meter.

Do you pay for your gas or electricity by a meter? Did you know you can end up paying more than people who pay a quarterly bill and those who get the best deals online?

This is unfair - especially as energy costs spiral. Pre-payment meter customers are often on lower-than-average incomes - many even disconnect from the supply because they can't afford to top up the meter.

So we have joined forces with a neighbouring housing organisation and a local MP to back a campaign for change. We're working with Willow Park Housing Trust and Wythenshawe MP Paul Goggins to raise the issue directly with the government's energy minister, Malcolm Wicks.

Soaring costs

More than 30 per cent of Parkway Green tenants have pre-payment meters. "We take tenants' welfare very seriously," insists chief executive Nigel Wilson. "By highlighting this issue we're trying to save them money and ensure they can heat their homes comfortably."

We are determined to help people like 56 year old Margaret Davies - her electricity meter costs have soared from around £6 a week to £12 a week in a year. She's cutting corners on food-buying, and turning off radiators in some rooms

Nationwide campaign

Hundreds of housing associations across the country wrote to MPs during Energy Action Week (1 to 5 September) to turn the heat up on the suppliers. The government recognises the plight of Britain's five million pre-payment meter customers, and has called on energy companies to give them a fairer deal.

Some are responding to the problem. British Gas for instance now has an 'Essentials Tariff' that helps low-income customers, particularly those with meters, by ensuring they pay no more than the lowest standard prices.

But some other firms have ignored government warnings to lower their charges.

MP Paul Goggins is right behind our campaign. "I'm speaking to ministers about getting energy suppliers to deliver a fairer deal, especially when fuel bills have risen so rapidly," he says. "I'm glad to be working with local housing trusts to get something done for people who need help."

We can help

Our expert financial adviser, Sarah Maguire, helps tenants make the most of their income. "You shouldn't have to pay extra to use a pre-payment meter," she points out. "I can give people advice about other options to keep costs down."

Contact Sarah on 0161 946 6314 or 7653. Or pop down to our local Bowland Road office between 10am and 12noon on a Wednesday for more advice and your free financial health check.