Everyone staring at the approaching iceberg of an energy price cap rise – which could take average annual bills to £3500 from this October – knows that Rishi Sunak’s £400 discount isn’t going to touch the sides.
With bills set to reach a staggering £500 a month in January, the £67 being knocked off direct debits to energy companies is hardly going to be noticed. For those with salaries as big as their energy bills, the discount is hardly going to matter anyway but, as usual, it is the vulnerable, the poor and the elderly who will be disadvantaged.
People on old-style pre-payment meters, who are those who usually fall into these categories, will be given vouchers to cash in instead. If prepayment meters were not stressful enough in themselves, this will lead to further confusion and anxiety, particularly for OAPs.
Prepayment meters are the curse of the energy crisis anyway. These devices are often imposed without consent, cost more than direct debit, have higher standing charges and have the effect of cutting people off from the supply.
Some of the lowest-earning households are already giving up electricity completely because they cannot afford it. Now those with pre-payment meters instead of smart meters won’t automatically get £400 off their spiralling bill.
Instead they’ll have to wait on a voucher to redeem at pay-points. People who need help the most shouldn’t have to work so hard to get it.
The Government and regulator Ofgem should be pushing power companies to get rid of prepayment meters. While the discount scheme is in place they should make every effort to ensure the most vulnerable customers receive what they are entitled to with minimum fuss.
System too slow
The SNP has received scrutiny recently over its handling of conduct issues against senior politicians. A young man had a complaint of sexual misconduct against MP Patrick Grady upheld by Westminster authorities - but only after walking away from the SNP process.
He did not have confidence in the party’s internal process and went to the Commons instead. The party also faces questions on its reaction to sexual harassment claims against councillor Jordan Linden.
Linden quit this week as leader of North Lanarkshire council, but the public needs to be told about what the SNP knew and when.
Now we learn that the SNP’s “member conduct” committee has not met since its members were elected last year. This is despite the SNP being a mass member party, where allegations of wrongdoing will be inevitable.
Complaints may be resolved before the Committee needs to get involved, but not meeting once is a bad look. The SNP needs to overhaul its system for handling complaints - and fast.
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