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Watchdog urged to defend poorest

FUEL poverty campaigners will deliver a message today to the energy watchdog today, urging it to “stop punishing the poor.”

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced plans to crack down on firms which have been charging four million prepayment meter users at “premium” rates.

Customers who use a key or card to buy gas or electricity are often the poorest and most vulnerable people in society — but can end up paying £200 to £300 more a year than the better-off.

The CMA has asked for responses to its proposals to place a cap on charges on meter users by today.

Today, the Fuel Poverty Action Group is set to deliver its response, which says that the proposals would reduce the extra charge by just £75 a year — and are not good enough.

Ruth London of Fuel Poverty Action said: “Prepayment customers pay up front and should have parity with customers paying by direct debit.”

She said they should be compensated for years of overpayment.

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