23-07-03

Barrett welcomes Telewest fair billing decision

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today welcomed the decision of Telewest Communications to scrap their charges for customers who do not pay by direct debit.

Many utility companies now charge their customers who do not pay by direct debt an extra fee to pay for the administration of their payments, even if bills are paid on time.  However, following a decision by the Managing Director of Telewest , a major provider of telephone, internet and cable television services in Edinburgh, the charges can be stopped for long standing customers who have a good credit history.

Mr Barrett is now one of 56 MPs who have signed a cross-party parliamentary motion congratulating Telewest on their decision and calling on other companies to follow suit.

In a statement, Mr Barrett, said:

"I appreciate that companies want to cuts costs and that encouraging customers to make direct debit payments will help them achieve this.  However, charging people who pay their bills in full and on time but not by DD simply cannot be justified.

"These charges often fall most heavily on the most vulnerable in society, particularly the elderly who may not have access to a bank account or perhaps rely on other people to handle their finances.  That is why the decision of Telewest, to be one of the first companies to waive these charges for long standing customers with a good payment history, is so welcome.

"Hopefully this example will be followed by other companies.  The increasing trend of these outrageous charges must be halted."

Long standing customers of Telewest who want their charge for not paying their bills by direct debit stopped should call 0870 889 0186.

ENDS   

Notes to Editors

John Barrett is one of 56 MPs who has signed Early Day Motion 1587:

That this House notes an increasing trend among utility companies to introduce unjustified charges into their billing arrangements that fall disproportionately heavily on the elderly, on those who rely on carers to handle their financial affairs, on those who do not have easy access to bank accounts and on other vulnerable groups; considers that billing an additional charge for non-direct debit payment is an example of such unwelcome practice; does not believe that there is any justification for charging customers extra for paying their bills in full and on time in cash; welcomes the constructive response of Telewest to representations from the honourable Member for Blackpool South in offering to waive their charge for non-direct debit payments for long-standing customers with a good credit history with the company, encourages all Telewest customers who believe they could benefit from this to contact Telewest; and urges all other utility companies to abandon these charges completely.