British Gas stop force fit prepayment meters
Discussion
Biggy Stardust said:
Is that people who decided not to pay for it?
Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
They're breaking into vulnerable peoples homes to install meters that'll leave them with no gas supply. If you can't afford food you can go to a food bank, what if you can't afford heating?Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64491243
Biggy Stardust said:
Is that people who decided not to pay for it?
Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
Maybe they didn't 'decide', but didn't have the money. Maybe people who were struggling to pay the bills already, are now finding it impossible to eat and pay for heating. Remember even if you don't use gas or electric, you still have a standing charge. Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
Super Sonic said:
Biggy Stardust said:
Is that people who decided not to pay for it?
Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
Maybe they didn't 'decide', but didn't have the money. Maybe people who were struggling to pay the bills already, are now finding it impossible to eat and pay for heating. Remember even if you don't use gas or electric, you still have a standing charge. Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
Average electricity standing charge is 50p per day, 37p for gas!
So on a prepayment meter you would now be paying £300 per year or so, to not use any gas or electricity at all!
Plymo said:
Super Sonic said:
Biggy Stardust said:
Is that people who decided not to pay for it?
Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
Maybe they didn't 'decide', but didn't have the money. Maybe people who were struggling to pay the bills already, are now finding it impossible to eat and pay for heating. Remember even if you don't use gas or electric, you still have a standing charge. Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
Average electricity standing charge is 50p per day, 37p for gas!
So on a prepayment meter you would now be paying £300 per year or so, to not use any gas or electricity at all!
Super Sonic said:
Biggy Stardust said:
Is that people who decided not to pay for it?
Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
Maybe they didn't 'decide', but didn't have the money. Maybe people who were struggling to pay the bills already, are now finding it impossible to eat and pay for heating. Remember even if you don't use gas or electric, you still have a standing charge. Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
Super Sonic said:
Biggy Stardust said:
Is that people who decided not to pay for it?
Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
Maybe they didn't 'decide', but didn't have the money. Maybe people who were struggling to pay the bills already, are now finding it impossible to eat and pay for heating. Remember even if you don't use gas or electric, you still have a standing charge. Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
Maybe they should spend their benefits on essentials such as gas & electricity.
This is no different to Fortnums saying I haven't settled my account & any future purchases are for ready money only.
BG are getting a media kicking but tbh they provide a product and these customers can't afford to pay. That's the issue. PP meters allow people to budget for their gas. Not having enough for heating is a social issue, not a BG issue.
People prepay for their food and clothing after all.
In the days of a BG monopoly it could act more like a social service but these days it is just another company - if you can't pay you can't have gas.
PP meters are more complicated and more hassle to administer which is why gas costs more.
People are complaining about them gaining access to home to put in PP meters but the alternative is to turn off the supply...
People prepay for their food and clothing after all.
In the days of a BG monopoly it could act more like a social service but these days it is just another company - if you can't pay you can't have gas.
PP meters are more complicated and more hassle to administer which is why gas costs more.
People are complaining about them gaining access to home to put in PP meters but the alternative is to turn off the supply...
Biggy Stardust said:
If they don't have money then they can't buy stuff. That's not complicated & hardly unreasonable.
Maybe they should spend their benefits on essentials such as gas & electricity.
This is no different to Fortnums saying I haven't settled my account & any future purchases are for ready money only.
Maybe they spent their money on essentials like food. Do you think bg entering their homes and fitting prepay meters against their will is reasonable?Maybe they should spend their benefits on essentials such as gas & electricity.
This is no different to Fortnums saying I haven't settled my account & any future purchases are for ready money only.
Electro1980 said:
Super Sonic said:
Biggy Stardust said:
Is that people who decided not to pay for it?
Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
Maybe they didn't 'decide', but didn't have the money. Maybe people who were struggling to pay the bills already, are now finding it impossible to eat and pay for heating. Remember even if you don't use gas or electric, you still have a standing charge. Where is the difference between them & folks at eg Asda deined food because they won't pay for it?
I suspect when that's stopped in April? people will really struggle, especially next winter!
Frimley111R said:
BG are getting a media kicking but tbh they provide a product and these customers can't afford to pay. That's the issue. PP meters allow people to budget for their gas. Not having enough for heating is a social issue, not a BG issue.
People prepay for their food and clothing after all.
In the days of a BG monopoly it could act more like a social service but these days it is just another company - if you can't pay you can't have gas.
PP meters are more complicated and more hassle to administer which is why gas costs more.
People are complaining about them gaining access to home to put in PP meters but the alternative is to turn off the supply...
Haven't heard about any other suppliers using these tactics.People prepay for their food and clothing after all.
In the days of a BG monopoly it could act more like a social service but these days it is just another company - if you can't pay you can't have gas.
PP meters are more complicated and more hassle to administer which is why gas costs more.
People are complaining about them gaining access to home to put in PP meters but the alternative is to turn off the supply...
Super Sonic said:
Frimley111R said:
BG are getting a media kicking but tbh they provide a product and these customers can't afford to pay. That's the issue. PP meters allow people to budget for their gas. Not having enough for heating is a social issue, not a BG issue.
People prepay for their food and clothing after all.
In the days of a BG monopoly it could act more like a social service but these days it is just another company - if you can't pay you can't have gas.
PP meters are more complicated and more hassle to administer which is why gas costs more.
People are complaining about them gaining access to home to put in PP meters but the alternative is to turn off the supply...
Haven't heard about any other suppliers using these tactics.People prepay for their food and clothing after all.
In the days of a BG monopoly it could act more like a social service but these days it is just another company - if you can't pay you can't have gas.
PP meters are more complicated and more hassle to administer which is why gas costs more.
People are complaining about them gaining access to home to put in PP meters but the alternative is to turn off the supply...
Also the reason everyone’s energy supplier has been so keen on smart meters is because it’s the push of a remote button. No court order required.
So we have a private company making enormous profits off the back of a war, then issuing a statement saying 'this isn't us, this isn't how we do business' (when it's exactly how they've done business right up until the point where they're rumbled by a national paper and the Chief Exec proclaiming that he's 'shocked', because all of this was signed off for months and months with no-one on the board having a clue) applying en masse for entry warrants which no oversight of each case, forcibly installing meters that will mean higher bills for those who get them and the typical PH response is something about Asda, managing their money better and Fortnum and Mason.
So far, pretty standard then.
So far, pretty standard then.
Super Sonic said:
Maybe they spent their money on essentials like food. Do you think bg entering their homes and fitting prepay meters against their will is reasonable?
My understanding of benefits is that they are intended to cover a reasonable level of both food & utilities.Do you think it's reasonable to expect BG to continue supply to places that don't pay? This will force them to pay for what they use- hardly unreasonable.
Did BG break in or did they do it lawfully?
Biggy Stardust said:
My understanding of benefits is that they are intended to cover a reasonable level of both food & utilities.
What’s your definition of reasonable here?Should a benefit claimant have enough to heat and power their homes and provide enough for three square meals a day for them and their family?
Biggy Stardust said:
My understanding of benefits is that they are intended to cover a reasonable level of both food & utilities.
Do you think it's reasonable to expect BG to continue supply to places that don't pay? This will force them to pay for what they use- hardly unreasonable.
Did BG break in or did they do it lawfully?
Benefits were calculated on prices and inflation as they were last year. Forcing people onto pp meters means both their unit cost and their standing charge are increased to the highest rates.Do you think it's reasonable to expect BG to continue supply to places that don't pay? This will force them to pay for what they use- hardly unreasonable.
Did BG break in or did they do it lawfully?
You've asked me two questions, but you didn't answer mine.
I'm in two minds on this.
Having been in a situation of "eating or heating" in the past I can fully sympathise with the people having to make this choice, especially over some of the cold snaps we have had.
On the other hand, if you don't pay your bills, eventually said private company is going to come after you for the money. Generally they are going to agree a payment plan with the person owing the money and as they clearly can't be trusted to stick to it they have found a way of ensuring people do.
I am generally not in favour of nationalised utilities however, given the present energy pricing and enormous profiteering something does need to change. They are of course private companies entitled to charge whatever they like for their services, but sometimes, that is not what is best for the consumer
Having been in a situation of "eating or heating" in the past I can fully sympathise with the people having to make this choice, especially over some of the cold snaps we have had.
On the other hand, if you don't pay your bills, eventually said private company is going to come after you for the money. Generally they are going to agree a payment plan with the person owing the money and as they clearly can't be trusted to stick to it they have found a way of ensuring people do.
I am generally not in favour of nationalised utilities however, given the present energy pricing and enormous profiteering something does need to change. They are of course private companies entitled to charge whatever they like for their services, but sometimes, that is not what is best for the consumer
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