The National Housing Federation, and its members, have won the high-profile campaign for an end to prepayment meter rip-off - with the announcement by British Gas that it will no longer charge a premium to its gas prepay meter users.

The announcement means that following the long-running campaign by the Federation, supported by its members, each of the big energy firms has equalised the charges they make to prepay meter users with customers on quarterly bills.

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Over the last few years, all of the big energy firms, except for Scottish Power, have charged prepayment meter customers more for their gas and electricity than anyone else - even though they are from low income backgrounds. According to research for the Federation, the average income for a household with a prepayment meter is £16,000.

Federation Chief Executive David Orr said: "The efforts of the Federation, housing associations and residents for a fairer deal for prepayment meter customers have paid off.

"The news is an incredible testament to what can be achieved when we all pull together."

(CD/GK)