Scottish Power backs Sun campaign to end the energy rip-off by ‘Big Six’
Energy firm became first of the 'Big Six' to heed our key demand that existing customers are freed from pricier tariffs
THE Sun’s crusade to stop energy giants fleecing families scored an instant victory yesterday with backing from Scottish Power.
We revealed how they are often barred from switching to cheaper deals offered to new customers.
Our exposure of the scandal saw another power giant go close to ending the rip-off last night.
The ban has led to existing customers facing bills that are up to £258 a year more.
Scottish Power boss Keith Anderson said: “Like The Sun, we believe that all of our customers should be able to get our best prices. It has been disappointing to see a glut of ‘new customer only’ products swamping the market.
“This industry needs to change. I cannot believe that restrictive tariffs are the best our industry can come up with.
“If it is, then I think a meteor is coming, and the dinosaurs will die.”
His firm’s new PowerUp deal will see existing customers get fairer bills.
But The Sun is determined to see power giants go even further by automatically putting families on the cheapest tariffs. Seven in ten currently pay over the odds. It means the Big Six — Scottish Power, E.ON, EDF, nPower, Centrica and British Gas — overcharge them by £5.9billion.
MP Dr Dan Poulter, who is on the Energy Select Committee, said: “Banning existing customers from taking your best deals is wrong and shouldn’t happen.
“The Big Six should be rewarding customers for loyalty, not punishing them.
“They massively overcharge their existing customers to subsidise these cheap deals and then ban them from taking them. It’s a disgrace and must stop.”
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Often it is those who are worse off who are bearing the brunt. Three in four people on the lowest income have never switched.”