Local MP signs Commons motion calling for end to inaccurate billing

18.06.03

Davey supports Energywatch's "Better Billing" campaign

Edward Davey Kingston and Surbiton's Liberal Democrat MP, has this week signed a Commons Motion calling for an end to inaccurate billing.

New figures published by consumer watchdog Energywatch show that 45,000 people complain each year about problems with their energy bills, including bills that are inaccurate, unclear and difficult to understand.

The research goes on to show that up to 2 million consumers have experienced debt due to inaccurate or estimated bills and that more than 1 in 4 of these consumers had difficulty or couldn't pay off the debt.

The motion calls upon industry to produce bills which are on time, accurate and easy to understand. It supports Energywatch's 'Better Billing' campaign which aims to put an end to the irregular and inaccurate billing. It goes as far as to call on companies to compensate consumers for distress caused and increase the usage of meter readings.

Edward Davey commented:

"Irregular, inaccurate and estimated bills can cause all sorts of problems, especially for vulnerable or elderly consumers or those on low incomes.

"I have received representations from constituents who have been angered by bills that seem designed to deliberately confuse them.

"It is time the energy companies took responsibility and improved the layout of their bills to make them simple and easy for consumers to understand"