Newly-weds without gas following problem

3:10pm Friday 18th July 2008

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NEWLY-WEDS were unable to feed or bathe their children for a week because of a problem with their gas supplier.

Paul and Tina Flynn returned from honeymoon in Florida to find their meter was swallowing every penny of credit they put on, leaving them unable to cook or run a hot bath for their two children Logan, aged five, and three-year-old, Stevie.

The couple ran into problems with their supplier, Scottish Power, after unknowingly paying too little each month because their usage had been underestimated.

In a bid to stop further debt mounting up on their energy bill — a problem thousands of people are facing nationally — they had a metre installed but Scottish Power began taking every penny they put on to it to pay off what they owed.

Mrs Flynn, aged 24, said: “We had a fabulous wedding and honeymoon but this has put such a downer on everything.

“We still haven’t got any gas but I’m not putting anymore money on because I haven’t got any.”

The first the couple knew of the problem was Mrs Flynn’s mother, Tina Kearns, who was looking after their children while they were away, sent them a text message to say their house in Priory Place, Bolton, had no gas.

When they returned they topped up their pre-payment card with almost £60 in a week only for the meter to take it all.

Mrs Flynn made six calls to Scottish Power but each time she was put through to a different customer services adviser who she says promised to help but did nothing.

Mr Flynn, aged 34 and a builder, said: “It’s been an absolute disgrace.”

The couple received a bill for £205 in May after accruing a debt while paying an estimated amount by direct debit.

They agreed to switch to a meter and pay off the debt at a rate of £5 for every £10 they put in.

A Scottish Power spokesman said a £20 cheque was being sent to the Flynns as a good will gesture and an affordable amount had been agreed with them to repay the debt.

The Citizen’s Advice Bureau has issued a warning to people paying their energy bills by direct debit after the amount has been estimated.

In the worst cases people have racked up debts of £1,000, and CAB are blaming rising fuel costs and billing issues.