Tuppence worth

Doubts about the ability of power companies to advise customers on the most suitable tariffs and methods of payment were confirmed by my father’s most recent electricity bill.

On one page he was told that he would save £40 a year by changing to payment by direct debit.

However, on the back page was an estimate of his costs for the forthcoming year: with his current payment method it would be £807.78 whereas with direct debit it would be £807.80.

Now, 2p is not a great difference in cost – rather different from the promised £40 saving!

Irene Noble

Edinburgh