Fewer tariffs demanded in energy bills reform: what it means for you

zerog

The "granny" has children who can switch fuel supply for her. If she can't afford her bills maybe she should have saved up more money when she was younger, or move in with her children.

MillicentBystander

zerog wrote: »

The "granny" has children who can switch fuel supply for her. If she can't afford her bills maybe she should have saved up more money when she was younger, or move in with her children.

Are you Norman Tebbit?


PS If I have read this right, I do see problems ahead for npower.

2.29. At the May workshops we made clear that all cash discounts were prohibited, with the only two exceptions being the dual fuel and online discounts. We also made clear that our definition of discounts would cover any bundles and reward points – ie offers of goods and/or services – provided for free or at a discounted price (non-cash discounts). We explained that the permitted cash discounts would have to be provided on a continuous basis, so that they would not be capable of constituting a termination fee or have a lock-in effect.

Wywth

MillicentBystander wrote: »

...
PS If I have read this right, I do see problems ahead for npower.

What problems do you foresee?

Presumably you are thinking about the current discount nPower provide for customers paying monthly by DD? If so, that is surely covered by the first sentence you quote.

So nPower could simply withdraw that by the end of the year. And as this presumably falls under the remit of 'regulatory reasons', then they could pull it from those customers who have signed up to longer term fix rate tariffs too

Other suppliers who for example offer prompt payment discounts would be similarly affected, so nothing unique to nPower.

MillicentBystander

penrhyn wrote: »

:DGranny gets her winter fuel allowance.:D

Which is not in any way granted because she is getting ripped off by her supplier. It's a completely separate argument.

MillicentBystander

Wywth wrote: »

What problems do you foresee?

Presumably you are thinking about the current discount nPower provide for customers paying monthly by DD? If so, that is surely covered by the first sentence you quote.

So nPower could simply withdraw that by the end of the year. And as this presumably falls under the remit of 'regulatory reasons', then they could pull it from those customers who have signed up to longer term fix rate tariffs too

Not sure but I read that to mean that npower wouldn't be permitted to grant the annual discount paid in arrears because it's basically a lock-in/termination fee by another name. This discount is the only way they get to the top (or near) of the switching sites.

penrhyn

MillicentBystander wrote: »

Which is not in any way granted because she is getting ripped off by her supplier. It's a completely separate argument.

Agreed it was a Bribe by the former prime mentalist to get more votes. However it still goes towards Grannies energy bill.

Cardew

MillicentBystander wrote: »

Are you Norman Tebbit?


PS If I have read this right, I do see problems ahead for npower.

2.29. At the May workshops we made clear that all cash discounts were prohibited, with the only two exceptions being the dual fuel and online discounts. We also made clear that our definition of discounts would cover any bundles and reward points – ie offers of goods and/or services – provided for free or at a discounted price (non-cash discounts).

We explained that the permitted cash discounts would have to be provided on a continuous basis, so that they would not be capable of constituting a termination fee or have a lock-in effect.

I think you are absolutely correct about Npower.

Also, as suggested above, and with a large dose of Schadenfreude;), UW?

undaunted

MillicentBystander wrote: »

What about the 80 year old granny in Martin's example? Should they REALLY have to pay top dollar so you can keep getting your subsidised deal? No fair minded person would say yes, surely....

Granny shouldn't have to pay top dollar but should be given support (especially by her nearest & dearest! but possibly also by suppliers) to sort her way through to the most suitable tarriff (they can offer)

The biggest problems in the energy market are not the number of tarrifs. This is just more fiddling around the edges in order to look like doing something useful whilst in reality doing very little for most consumers in my opinion

undaunted

MillicentBystander wrote: »

PS If I have read this right, I do see problems ahead for npower.

Maybe Dave & George think it's payback time for their tax fiddling?

Npower being Npower however I wouldn't hold my breath for them not just circumventing any "problems" in the same way they have they taxes

Pincher

How does having four tariffs actually help?

We just end up with a universally HIGH fuel bill.

It's the same as saying all bananas should be £1 per kg.

No wait, you can discount bananas when it's near expired.

I want to sign up for the surplus electricity of the day tarff.
Or is that called Economy 7?