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| Cost of living: 'We've only got 30p left on our prepayment meter' | Cost of living: 'We've only got 30p left on our prepayment meter' |
| (4 months later) | |
| Lisa Jefferies-Wilkin was made to install a prepayment meter after falling behind with bills | Lisa Jefferies-Wilkin was made to install a prepayment meter after falling behind with bills |
| A mother-of-two said her financial situation had become "exponentially worse" after a prepayment meter was installed at her house. | A mother-of-two said her financial situation had become "exponentially worse" after a prepayment meter was installed at her house. |
| Lisa Jefferies-Wilkin, 39, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, faced a threat of court action from Scottish Power if she did not install the meter, after falling behind with payments. | Lisa Jefferies-Wilkin, 39, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, faced a threat of court action from Scottish Power if she did not install the meter, after falling behind with payments. |
| "I'm in a hopeless situation. I don't know what I can do," she said. | "I'm in a hopeless situation. I don't know what I can do," she said. |
| Scottish Power said the installation of meters was enforced as a last resort. | Scottish Power said the installation of meters was enforced as a last resort. |
| Research suggests the energy crisis has pushed more UK households on to prepayment gas and electricity meters, with 60,000 new meters installed in the six months to March. | Research suggests the energy crisis has pushed more UK households on to prepayment gas and electricity meters, with 60,000 new meters installed in the six months to March. |
| These customers are more likely to be vulnerable and at risk of being disconnected, charities say. | These customers are more likely to be vulnerable and at risk of being disconnected, charities say. |
| The organisation End Fuel Poverty Coalition has called on the government to temporarily block households from being moved on to prepayment meters. | The organisation End Fuel Poverty Coalition has called on the government to temporarily block households from being moved on to prepayment meters. |
| 'What else can I sacrifice?' | 'What else can I sacrifice?' |
| Mrs Jefferies-Wilkin said the family currently had 22 pence in their bank account and 30 pence-worth of electric left on their meter, which was installed in the summer by Scottish Power. | Mrs Jefferies-Wilkin said the family currently had 22 pence in their bank account and 30 pence-worth of electric left on their meter, which was installed in the summer by Scottish Power. |
| They have already experienced blackouts at their three-bedroom terraced home after running out of credit. | They have already experienced blackouts at their three-bedroom terraced home after running out of credit. |
| She owes the energy firm £11,000 after being unable to pay her bills for the last few years. | She owes the energy firm £11,000 after being unable to pay her bills for the last few years. |
| Mrs Jefferies-Wilkin left her job to become a full-time carer for her disabled husband and the couple have two children, aged 12 and 14. | Mrs Jefferies-Wilkin left her job to become a full-time carer for her disabled husband and the couple have two children, aged 12 and 14. |
| She said their benefits were not enough to cover their outgoings. | She said their benefits were not enough to cover their outgoings. |
| Almost 7.4 million people in Britain use prepayment meters for their energy | Almost 7.4 million people in Britain use prepayment meters for their energy |
| "I'm constantly running out of money. I'm having to borrow money just to ensure I've got enough for the meter," she said. | "I'm constantly running out of money. I'm having to borrow money just to ensure I've got enough for the meter," she said. |
| "Two weeks ago we were down to using the emergency credit. That ran out and the electricity cut out. | "Two weeks ago we were down to using the emergency credit. That ran out and the electricity cut out. |
| "Going on to the prepayment meter has made things exponentially worse. I'm now at a point where I'm asking what else can I sacrifice? | "Going on to the prepayment meter has made things exponentially worse. I'm now at a point where I'm asking what else can I sacrifice? |
| "We're not far short of being sat here in the darkness with nothing to do. TV, the internet and mobile phones are a luxury for us now." | "We're not far short of being sat here in the darkness with nothing to do. TV, the internet and mobile phones are a luxury for us now." |
| A spokesperson for Scottish Power said: "Scottish Power is committed to supporting our customers through difficult times. We provide financial support through the warm homes discount and our dedicated hardship fund, from which Ms Jefferies-Wilkin has received support. | A spokesperson for Scottish Power said: "Scottish Power is committed to supporting our customers through difficult times. We provide financial support through the warm homes discount and our dedicated hardship fund, from which Ms Jefferies-Wilkin has received support. |
| "In addition, we have specially trained customer service advisors who can help manage customers' individual situations sensitively and support them to access the advice and support that best meets their needs. | "In addition, we have specially trained customer service advisors who can help manage customers' individual situations sensitively and support them to access the advice and support that best meets their needs. |
| "Warrants are only ever pursued as a last resort when we've had no engagement from the customer, despite repeated attempts to contact them." | "Warrants are only ever pursued as a last resort when we've had no engagement from the customer, despite repeated attempts to contact them." |
| The Department for Business said the government's energy price guarantee would reduce bills this winter by "roughly a third" of what they otherwise would have been. | The Department for Business said the government's energy price guarantee would reduce bills this winter by "roughly a third" of what they otherwise would have been. |
| It added the most vulnerable households were receiving £1,200 in additional direct payments. | It added the most vulnerable households were receiving £1,200 in additional direct payments. |
| A spokesperson said the Treasury's review of energy support from next April would focus help on those in need while reducing costs for the taxpayer. | A spokesperson said the Treasury's review of energy support from next April would focus help on those in need while reducing costs for the taxpayer. |
| Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk | Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk |
| Related Topics | |
| Global energy crisis | |
| Kettering | |
| Cost of living |
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