15th Nov 2006 07:04
Scottish & Southern Energy PLC15 November 2006 15 November 2006 SCOTTISH AND SOUTHERN ENERGY PLC ABOLITION OF ELECTRICITY PRE-PAYMENT TARIFF SURCHARGE Scottish and Southern Energy plc ("SSE") has decided to abolish the extra chargelevied on all of its electricity (pay as you go) or pre-payment tariffs inEngland and Wales compared with its standard credit tariffs. The decision follows the recent request to energy suppliers by Child PovertyAction Group, End Child Poverty, Disability Alliance, Help the Aged, AgeConcern, Citizens' Advice, National Consumer Council, National Energy Action andenergywatch. The decision will help almost half a million customers of SSE reduce theirelectricity bills by an average of around 6% or around £23.00 a year from 2007,compared with the average standard quarterly price. Pre-payment meters are used by customers as a way to help them budget - andaround half of electricity pre-payment meters are installed by suppliers to helpcustomers repay energy debt. There is no such extra charge on SSE's electricity prepayment tariffs inScotland, which are already equalised with its standard credit tariffs. In addition, SSE is already one of just two energy suppliers which does not levy'back charges' for the period between a price increase being implemented and thepre-payment meter being adjusted to reflect the increase. Alistair Phillips-Davies, Energy Supply Director said: "While many customers choose pre-payment tariffs because it is their preferredmethod of budgeting, it is also clear that the tariffs are used by significantnumbers of lower-income customers. Abolishing the surcharge will complement ourexisting policy of not levying back charges on such tariffs and will directlyhelp almost half a million customers." Enquiries to: Scottish and Southern Energy plcAlan Young - Director of Corporate Communications + 44 (0)870 900 0410Denis Kerby - Investor and Media Relations Manager + 44 (0)870 900 0410 Financial DynamicsAndrew Dowler + 44 (0)20 7831 3113 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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