Southern gas/electric social tariff rip off

Blakespops

After having to fight Southern and finding out they do not charge a standing charge on electric even though our meter was charging us £2.45 per week (they refunded £77.50 to our debt) we were placed on their social tariff. great you would think, save 20% so they would have you believe, however they charge a standing charge on this tariff due to getting such a good deal they say, that charge is £1.60 per week so for the first £8.00 of electricity you use every week you get no discount what so ever. so how is this going to make any differance? just seems like they are trying to look like they are helping when they are not.

but for everyone out there check the standing charges on your meter and call them as they say they do not charge them on normal tariffs. you could be due a good refund even if they apply it to any debt that you may have with them first.

KimYeovil

Pretty well all companies will only allow a social tariff discount with their more expensive tariffs. I do not know any supplier that provides a discount on their cheapest competitive deals.

Blakespops

KimYeovil wrote: »

Pretty well all companies will only allow a social tariff discount with their more expensive tariffs. I do not know any supplier that provides a discount on their cheapest competitive deals.

but why take you off the one your on saying can save 20% on the social tariff if they are in truth saving you nothing at all? it is just so they can tell government that they have that many on social tariff and avoid any action to limit their prices.

KimYeovil

Why should people who qualify get it cheaper in the first place? If they are rich enough to spend enough money to qualify for the tariff then they are rich enough to budget and use direct debits and receive the cheapest prices. Remember, to qualify for social tariffs you have to spend money in the first place - most people who are poor can not afford to spend enough on energy to receive a social tariff.

Blakespops

KimYeovil wrote: »

Why should people who qualify get it cheaper in the first place? If they are rich enough to spend enough money to qualify for the tariff then they are rich enough to budget and use direct debits and receive the cheapest prices. Remember, to qualify for social tariffs you have to spend money in the first place - most people who are poor can not afford to spend enough on energy to receive a social tariff.

it is not an amount you spend it is the % of total income that says you qualify. We are on prepay meter so have to pay or have no power., no matter how hard you budget you still find your paying more for the power. as for why not pay direct debit we were running a business that unfortunatly failed with debts and as sole traders them debts are our debts so minus £25k. we have no savings and bank accounts closed if did have money in accounts would be seized by companies we owe it to.

adprob

Blakepops..... if the southern social tariff works the same as the hydro electric one ( and it should be as they are both sse ) then you are getting 20% off the prices as they were last summer ie before the huge price increase in august! my ex qualifies for this and is paying a hell of lot less than me. so that is 20% off the prices before the 19% elec and 29% gas price increase!!!