31 March 2009
ScottishPower has committed to paying back £1 for every £33 its customers are in credit on their annual direct reassessment date on balances over £100.
The move has been welcomed by price comparison price uSwitch.com's Energy Expert Tom Lyon, who claims that it is "good news" for families.
He said: "The key point here is that direct debit is the cheapest way to pay for your energy and anything that builds consumer confidence in paying by direct debit is a good thing."
The move has also been welcomed by Which?, although the consumer watchdog's editor Martyn Hocking urged the other 'big six' energy suppliers to follow suit to compensate their customers.
Last week, energy regulator Ofgem urged the six major energy providers to improve their approach to direct debit payments after a number of complaints from customers.