Cost-of-living crisis: Inverness MP Drew Hendry steps up campaign demanding energy companies pay back cash
Inverness MP Drew Hendry is to meet the UK Energy Minister as he steps up his demands on energy companies to pay back excessive credit balances to customers.
Mr Hendry recently launched a campaign, It’s Your Money, after reports from constituents about their energy provider raising their monthly direct debit amount despite having a large credit balance on their account.
Mr Hendry, SNP representative for Inverness, Nairn, Badench and Strathspey, raised the issue during an exchange with Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, in the UK Parliament.
Mr Shapps shared his concerns and acknowledged personal experience of such issues.
A meeting is now to be arranged with Energy Minister Graham Stuart.
Mr Hendry, who launched his campaign to push for tighter regulation, believes that lack of intervention by Ofgem and the UK government has allowed energy companies to unfairly hold customers' money running up balances of hundreds and even thousands of pounds.
MP launches campaign to claw back cash from energy companies
"Ordinary people are having their direct debits raised by their energy providers, despite already having amassed large credit balances," he said.
"At a time when the price of energy itself has skyrocketed, along with the cost of essentials such as food and fuel, this is unacceptable and morally wrong.
"And it appears no one is safe from these questionable practices if even the Secretary of State responsible for the sector is having these issues.
"But it begs the question, if Grant Shapps is, not only aware of the issue but agrees that it’s a problem, why hasn’t he done anything to fix it?
"I’ll be using every tool at my disposal to get something done about this as part of the It’s Your Money campaign. Folk are struggling enough as it is; this is the last thing they need.
"I’m glad to have an upcoming meeting with the Energy Minister and sincerely hope he’ll do the right thing and work with me on this."
As part of the campaign, Mr Hendry also aims to raise awareness and alert people that they may be overpaying on already high energy bills.
Have you amassed a large credit balance on your account? Email newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk.
