Energy firm introduces late payment charges
Money Box
BBC
4.2 • 825 Ratings
🗓️ 23 July 2022
⏱️ 25 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Scottish Power has introduced late payments fees for its five million customers saying the move "brings us in line with other suppliers" and reflect the costs of collecting debt. The change comes at a time when consumers are facing record high energy prices with some estimates suggesting millions more households face the real prospect of falling into fuel poverty this winter.
An employment tribunal rules that a man suffering from long covid is protected by the Equality Act. It means employers have to make "reasonable adjustments" in the workplace to help sufferers and could have far reaching legal implications for the estimated two million people thought to be living with long covid.
We look into a listener's question about only paying for the energy she actually uses - instead of relying to estimated average payments across the year.
And the Universities Minister confirms in Parliament a roll out date of 2025 for Alternative Student Finance aimed at helping muslim students with sharia compliant loans. It comes after the scheme was first talked about during David Cameron's time as Prime Minister nearly a decade ago.
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 25th June, 2022)
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | You are about to listen to a BBC podcast and I'd like to tell you a bit about what goes into making one. |
| 0:06.5 | I'm Sadata Sese, an assistant commissioner of podcasts for BBC Sounds. |
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| 0:22.4 | So one day I'll be helping host develop their ideas, the next fact-checking, a feature, |
| 0:28.3 | and the next looking at how a podcast connects with its audience, and maybe that's you. |
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| 0:39.4 | BBC Sounds, music, radio podcasts. |
| 0:43.2 | Hello, welcome to this Moneybox podcast. |
| 0:46.0 | Two million people suffering from long COVID could be due extra care and support at work |
| 0:51.4 | after a tribunal ruled this week that it can be a disability. |
| 0:56.1 | Can you cut your energy bills by only paying for what you use? |
| 1:00.1 | And the government says student loans which comply with the financial rules of Islam are on |
| 1:05.1 | track to be introduced, but not until 2025. |
| 1:09.5 | But first, as the price of energy hits record levels, |
| 1:12.6 | 5 million Scottish power customers have been warned |
| 1:15.6 | their bills may be even higher if they delay paying them. |
| 1:19.6 | The change comes as households all over the UK are feeling pressure on their personal finances |
| 1:24.6 | as inflation hits another 40-year high, partly driven by fuel bills, |
| 1:29.4 | which are set to rise in October by more than they did in April. Moneybox is Dan Whitworths here |
| 1:35.4 | with more, Dan. Well, so the new late fees at Scottish power pool break down like this. |
| 1:40.3 | £10 if you're 14 days late or £20 if you're 28 days late paying. And there are other |
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