Companies fail on fuel poverty

Sir, – Once again this year we are seeing energy companies failing in their social responsibility to tackle fuel poverty and help the most vulnerable in society.

For the last few years a warm home scheme discount of £140 has been available to the elderly, and people on certain benefits, to help with energy and heating costs at the times it is needed most, during the cold-weather period.

The problem with this scheme is that energy companies are not administering it properly and it is not benefiting people when it should.

They have until March 31 to make the payment, which is way too long.

This may be acceptable for people who pay monthly or quarterly by direct debit, who will then get a credit at the end of the winter period.

But people like myself who are on pre-payment meters are generally the last to receive it. In my case, despite applying in September, I am still waiting.

The scheme is devised to help vulnerable customers with energy costs through the coldest months of the year. It is supposed to come into effect before the cold weather, not afterwards.

This is a support system initiated by the Government to help those who at times have to chose between heating or eating. But the way it plays out in real terms means the same problem happens every year.

In order to break the cycle, there needs to be a change in the law so that energy companies have to pay the credit before December 1.

This way, the help will come at the time people really do need it most. Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth .