We’re all trapped in a ridiculous situation

COLD this Christmas: Lorraine Charlesworth

Bills up 70 per cent in three months... and we can’t switch suppliers
One disabled pensioner on the St Mary’s estate will struggle to keep warm this winter - after seeing her bill jump by around 70 per cent in three months.

Lorraine Charlesworth received a letter three weeks ago saying her bill would rise from £9 per week to £14.

Now she received a second letter saying the rise will be to £15.34 per week.

Oldham Council and First Choice, which jointly set the rate for 634 customers on St Mary’s estate, say her bill is based on price increases by its energy supplier Dalkia.

The 64 year old is forced to wear a thick dressing gown because her home’s insulation is poor and she constantly worries about the heating cost.

“We’re being ripped off,” she said.

“I know people everywhere have increased bills but at least they can switch suppliers. We’re trapped in this ridiculous situation where we have to go with the provider chosen for us and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet member for housing, transport and planning, said: “I sympathise with Miss Charlesworth, but her case is not unusual. Energy prices are rising across the board as we all know. This is a financial challenge for every household across our borough and Dalkia — the energy supplier for this scheme — has followed suit. The bill in question will be based on previous energy usage and this lady is paying the same rate as all First Choice customers on grouped heating schemes.

“The best advice we can give is that she contacts First Choice direct. They will gladly arrange for someone to visit her home and give some simple advice on how to reduce her energy consumption — while also staying warm and healthy.”.



UNHAPPY tenant Andy West has become so infuriated with his heating bill that he has made an official complaint about First Choice Homes.
Mr West, from Summervale House, received a letter about an increase in the tariff from 5.5p to 8.1p/kwh — a rise of 45.45 per cent, not the claimed 22 per cent.

He claims affected residents haven’t been made aware of the mistake, though FCHO insists it sent out letters.

He was then sent a letter saying he would need to pay arrears at £6.05 per week — but received another letter, days later, saying the arrears were actually 62p.

Mr West said: “Someone at First Choice Homes has shocking maths.

“They sent out a letter saying prices had increased by 22 per cent when it was nearly 50. I don’t think they tried to mislead people, I just think they’re completely incompetent.”

He has contacted MP Michael Meacher for assistance and is calling for an independent body to look at accountancy at the firm. He says the next stage — after round three of the complaint procedure — is to take the case to an ombudsman.

FCHO says all customers in the communal heating and hot water scheme (3,115 properties), who have historically had heat and hot water costs subsidised are charged the same unit price (8.1p per kWh) which is an increase of 46 per cent.