Big 6 urged to give bill warnings

BRITAIN’S “Big Six” energy companies are being urged to put safeguards in place so customers are alerted when something is wrong with their bill.

The SNP wants the UK’s leading energy suppliers to have automatic warnings in place that would lead to unexpectedly high or low energy use being investigated.

MSP Maureen Watt has written to the companies, suggesting customers should be alerted when they are billed for an amount markedly different from their previous bill or energy consumption for the same period the previous year.

She said: “Incorrect bills cause great distress and hardship for those involved, particularly for those in fuel poverty. If a vulnerable individual was overcharged, they may not have the knowledge or confidence to ensure it is swiftly rectified.”