The Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP attended the Commons on Tuesday 4th February, alongside a number of colleagues including Robert Halfon, the Conservative MP for Harlow who tabled a motion condemning those companies which charge an average of £114 extra every year for simply deciding not to pay their bills by direct debit.
Mr Brine said: "The poorest and most vulnerable are routinely ripped off by energy companies when it comes to paying for the most essential of items, gas and electric. In the UK, 45% of people do not pay their electricity bills by Direct Debit. Those on lower incomes often prefer to manage their finances by paying for things by paying for things by cash, and some people do not even have access to bank accounts. In 2010, it was estimated that almost 1 million UK adults do not have a bank account, making it impossible for them to pay by Direct Debit.
"These people are sadly also most at risk of living in fuel poverty, and living in the least energy efficient houses. It is therefore unreasonable for energy companies to add such extortionate charges onto energy bills, targeting these people. Furthermore, even those who pay their bills on time, even if they do not pay by direct debit, subsidise those who do not, as companies often calculate these extra charges into what they charge everyone for not paying by direct debit."
In addition to the £114 average figure, Save the Children estimates that the additional cost can be as high as £241 a year for some low income families.