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| Tories plan energy discount card | Tories plan energy discount card |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A scheme aimed at allowing people who do not have bank accounts to cut energy bills is to be unveiled by the Tories. | A scheme aimed at allowing people who do not have bank accounts to cut energy bills is to be unveiled by the Tories. |
| The card account scheme, to be run by the Post Office, would aim to help low-earners receive the same discounts as those paying by direct debit. | The card account scheme, to be run by the Post Office, would aim to help low-earners receive the same discounts as those paying by direct debit. |
| Shadow Chancellor George Osborne says this could help as many as four million people save up to £100 a year. | Shadow Chancellor George Osborne says this could help as many as four million people save up to £100 a year. |
| Tories say about eight million people in the UK do not have a bank account, or withdraw all their cash weekly. | |
| Opponents may argue the plan is a pre-emptive strike on the government's expected economic relaunch, due within weeks. | Opponents may argue the plan is a pre-emptive strike on the government's expected economic relaunch, due within weeks. |
| The Conservatives want to allow people to pay power and utility bills using Post Office Card Accounts in the same way as other consumers use direct debits. | The Conservatives want to allow people to pay power and utility bills using Post Office Card Accounts in the same way as other consumers use direct debits. |
| The move is likely to be viewed in Westminster as an attempt to steal a march on the government's soon-to-be-announced plans David ThompsonBBC News | The move is likely to be viewed in Westminster as an attempt to steal a march on the government's soon-to-be-announced plans David ThompsonBBC News |
| The proposal will be announced later by Mr Osborne and Alan Duncan, shadow secretary for business, enterprise and regulatory reform. | The proposal will be announced later by Mr Osborne and Alan Duncan, shadow secretary for business, enterprise and regulatory reform. |
| At present, customers tend to miss out on discounts if they cannot pay directly from their bank accounts. | At present, customers tend to miss out on discounts if they cannot pay directly from their bank accounts. |
| The shadow chancellor also claims it could revive the fortunes of some Post Offices threatened with closure. | The shadow chancellor also claims it could revive the fortunes of some Post Offices threatened with closure. |
| The Tories say the idea has the support of the energy industry and will help millions save money and manage their finances more efficiently. | The Tories say the idea has the support of the energy industry and will help millions save money and manage their finances more efficiently. |
| Mr Osborne said it is "deeply unfair" that "many of the poorest households end up paying more for their energy and water bills because they don't have bank accounts and can't pay by direct debit". | Mr Osborne said it is "deeply unfair" that "many of the poorest households end up paying more for their energy and water bills because they don't have bank accounts and can't pay by direct debit". |
| 'Fairness' agenda | 'Fairness' agenda |
| "Our plan, developed with industry, will help people struggling with rising household bills by letting them use their Post Office Card Account to pay their utility bills," he said. | "Our plan, developed with industry, will help people struggling with rising household bills by letting them use their Post Office Card Account to pay their utility bills," he said. |
| Theresa Perchard, of the Citizens Advice Bureau, said the proposal "offers to put more money in the pockets of poorer consumers by reducing their outgoings and providing for weekly budgeting to help avoid debt". | Theresa Perchard, of the Citizens Advice Bureau, said the proposal "offers to put more money in the pockets of poorer consumers by reducing their outgoings and providing for weekly budgeting to help avoid debt". |
| BBC Political Correspondent David Thompson said: "The move is likely to be viewed in Westminster as an attempt to steal a march on the government's soon-to-be-announced plans to help people through the credit crunch." | BBC Political Correspondent David Thompson said: "The move is likely to be viewed in Westminster as an attempt to steal a march on the government's soon-to-be-announced plans to help people through the credit crunch." |