Martin Lewis demands six-month cap on energy back-billing
- Martin Lewis criticized Scottish Power for its back-billing practices, labeling them as 'particularly abominable.'
- He emphasized the need for energy companies to have a six-month limit on back-billing to protect consumers.
- The discussion highlights ongoing concerns about fairness and transparency in energy billing in the UK.
In recent discussions in the UK, consumer champion Martin Lewis addressed the issue of energy back-billing during an appearance before the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee. Lewis criticized energy companies, particularly highlighting Scottish Power's practices regarding back-billing, which he described as 'particularly abominable.' He emphasized that energy suppliers should not charge customers for energy usage beyond 12 months unless there are unreasonable obstacles, asserting that the definition of such obstacles often varies by perspective. Lewis advocated for clearer regulations from Ofgem, the energy regulator, regarding what constitutes reasonable grounds for back-billing. He expressed concern over a systemic lack of enforcement of existing rules, which has led to confusion and potentially unfair practices among energy firms. During his testimony, Lewis noted a rise in consumer awareness and concern regarding increased energy bills, which correlates with the growing incidences of back-billing. In response to his statements, a spokesperson for Scottish Power countered by claiming improvements in their customer service and billing systems, suggesting they are now a leader in performance within the industry. This highlights a growing debate on consumer protection and fair practices within the energy sector, underlying the need for better oversight and responsibility from energy providers.