An opposition SNP councillor will call for urgent action to lower the costs of prepayment meters on those struggling to pay bills.
South Ayrshire SNP Cllr Laura Brennan-Whitefield, seconded by Independent Cllr Brian Connolly, will table a motion at a meeting of the full council on Thursday.
Cllr Brennan-Whitefield’s motion states: “We are currently living in a cost-of-living crisis, with energy costs becoming an increasing concern for many members of our community.
“For some of our most vulnerable members of society they have no choice but to accept prepayment meters which are often imposed and are often more expensive than other options such as a direct debit or simply playing for the energy you use as the average standing charges are higher.”
The motion calls on SAC chief executive Eileen Howatt to write to energy regulator Ofgem ‘to request that this issue is looked at urgently and that prices for prepayment meters are brought into line with other payment options so that those who are most economically vulnerable are not paying more for basic utilities.’
Matthew Cole of the Charity Fuel Bank Foundation said that, as well as the rates often being higher, prepayment users are hit harder during winter months.
He said: “Unlike direct debit customers who can soften the blow of price increases by spreading their energy costs over 12 months, prepayment meter users feel the impact far more acutely as they don’t have a credit or buffer to tide them over the heating season and cold winter months when costs increase. No money means no energy.”
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
