Widower denied refund on wife’s energy bill

A widower was denied a £250 refund from an energy firm because the account was in his late wife’s name.

Michael Wright, 64, lost his wife Sally, 60, in November last year. He decided to move home to be closer to his family, and ended up switching energy providers at the same time.

But Mr Wright, a retired warehouse worker, from Sapcote, Leicestershire, clashed with Scottishpower when he found there was still £250 credit in his old account that he could not access.

When he contacted Scottishpower he was told his wife would have to sign a form to allow it. The energy firm has since apologised, issued a refund and a further goodwill payment.