'Change system' after £1,000 gas reading (From The Bolton News)

'Change system' after £1,000 gas reading

BOLTON MP Ruth Kelly is calling for changes in the system after three constituents found themselves hit with hefty gas arrears bills because their meters had been set wrongly.

She is tackling new Energy Minister Helen Liddell on the issue after the Gas Consumer Council was instructed to investigate the case of a Horwich man who was hit by a bill of more £1,000 after his meter was wrongly calibrated.

Jeremy Lavin, of Lower Makinson Fold, made headlines in the BEN earlier this year after British Gas agreed his meter had been set incorrectly and he had been charged at the wrong rate but, despite an apology, continued to demand the cash.

Bolton West MP Mrs Kelly approached Mrs Liddell's predecessor, John Battle, who has instructed the Gas Consumer Council to investigate immediately.

But she in concerned that the Gas Regulator, OFGAS, is unable to intervene in Mr Lavin's case, although it has ordered changes to the way gas meters are set to prevent a recurrence of the problem.

She is now to take up his case and two others - which she fears are just a few of many - with Mrs Liddell when Parliament resumes in October.

Reacting to the decision to order an investigation, Mrs Kelly said: "This is a welcome development.

"However, British Gas have accepted they made a mistake but will not back down on their demand for payment. OFGAS has investigated and found British Gas at fault, but have informed me that they are powerless to intervene.

"This seems to be a whole grey area and I fear that we are only touching the tip of a very large iceberg.

"I have been contacted by three people who have been hit by hefty arrears bills following incorrect meter readings and suspect there may be people out there who are unaware that their meter is wrong.

"British Gas have said they could not take action against Transco, who set the meters incorrectly, because they accepted the readings in 'good faith'.

"I would argue that people like Mr Lavin accepted their readings in 'good faith' and should not be penalised for doing so".

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.