The National Housing Federation, and its members, have won the high-profile campaign for an end to prepayment meter rip-off - with the announcement by British Gas that it will no longer charge a premium to its gas prepay meter users.

The announcement means that following the long-running campaign by the Federation, supported by its members, each of the big energy firms has equalised the charges they make to prepay meter users with customers on quarterly bills.


Over the last few years, all of the big energy firms, except for Scottish Power, have charged prepayment meter customers more for their gas and electricity than anyone else - even though they are from low income backgrounds. According to research for the Federation, the average income for a household with a prepayment meter is £16,000.

Federation Chief Executive David Orr said: "The efforts of the Federation, housing associations and residents for a fairer deal for prepayment meter customers have paid off.

"The news is an incredible testament to what can be achieved when we all pull together."

(CD/GK)