British Gas has announced that it is reversing its decision to increase the minimum top up for prepayment customers.
British Gas will work with Payzone and Post Office to ensure the minimum top up amount will move back to £1 for customers using any Payzone outlets or Post Offices to add credit to their prepayment meters.
The decision comes following a campaign led by Preet Kaur Gill MP and supported by the End Fuel Poverty Coalition.
Preet Kaur Gill MP commented:
This is a vital win for the thousands of people affected by British Gas’s decision to raise the minimum pre-pay top-up.
Campaigners will now turn their intention to other energy providers who have £5 minimum vend policies in operation. The MP will be writing to any of the other major energy companies who charge the higher top up amount to encourage them to follow British Gas’ lead and reduce their charge to £1.
She will also be looking at the related issue of the reduction of payzone points around the country which obviously has an effect on people’s ability to top-up their meters.
Sarwjit Sambhi, Chief Executive, Centrica Consumer, said:
Our customers are always at the heart of the decisions we make and so we’ve listened closely to feedback after making this change.
The aim of this move was to keep our costs down in order to offer our customers the best value, but I am happy to change this decision whilst we continue to look at ways that we can help our most vulnerable customers.
British Gas has a number of services available for any customers who struggle financially. It has specialist call centre agents to help anyone struggling to advise them on how to access the help they need. It also set up the British Gas Energy Trust as an independent charity that offers advice, assistance and grants to people who are struggling to pay their bills.