18 November 2008
The Conservative Party has promised to ban gas and electricity providers from charging a premium to customers on pre-payment meters if they are elected into government.
Shadow energy secretary Greg Clark said the Tories would force energy suppliers to offer social tariffs to all vulnerable households, the Press Association reports.
They would also be required to make it clear on gas and electricity bills whether cheaper tariffs are available and how customers can go about switching.
"It is completely unacceptable that the most vulnerable on pre-payment meters should be targeted by the energy companies to pay more than their fair share - the practice should be banned at once," said Mr Clark.
The proposals have been welcomed by the charity Age Concern, which insists "strong and decisive action" is needed to tackle fuel poverty.
According to the Conservative Party, a ban on higher prices for pre-payment meter customers could save almost six million households up to £250 a year.