White calls for end of surcharging on pay-as-you-go electricity
The Energy Minister Alex White has said surcharging pay-as-you-go electricity customers is "not acceptable" and should be ended.
White was commenting after the Money Advice and Budgeting Service said the charge of between 2 and 5% was a "shameful rip-off of the most financially vulnerable consumers".
MABS added the charges have only begun appearing in the past year and only half of the shops which add on the energy bills display signs warning bill-payers.
Minister White believes there is no basis for surcharges and is calling for the practice to end.
“It is not a State charge, it is the retailers apparently adding on these surcharges,” said White.
“I would strongly urge people who are effected by this to complain. It is not acceptable, people should complain and it should be ended.”
