THE recent rises announced by the energy companies have caused much discussion.

Those customers who have signed up to a fixed tariff rate with monthly direct debit lasting into sometime next year, may have felt complacent; as did this writer. How wrong we were!

After the latest reading of the meters, the following bill provided details enough for the provider to estimate the amount of future use at the new prices and increased the monthly direct debit accordingly, on the premise that this would keep the account out of debt.

In other words for the user, a “no win, can’t win” situation.

J Beisly, Osprey Close, York.