THE cost of energy to heat and run our homes is as we all know spiralling and hitting many very hard indeed.

And all the worse with energy companies playing the system to ensure their maximum benefit, at our cost.

Most of us pay by direct debit.

The annual cost is proportioned over twelve monthly payments.

All then depends on the month when the billing cycle begins.

Companies without exception make this cycle begin in April.

At this time they want us in credit. If not you get the classic “you owe us”.

But then with summer coming, lower consumption, we end up in credit to these companies throughout the whole year – £50 credit in April is likely to be many hundreds by end of the summer.

Take a company with five millions customers (average for the big six), each customer in average credit £200, the company has then £1000 million, to put on the spot markets with more income.

If billing cycle was October, end of summer, it would work out we would for the year be in deficit to the companies.

The fairest and right month to run the cycle would be from July.

We end up balanced with credit in the summer, deficit in the winter, not in credit year round. Our money in their accounts.

And a word for those paying by direct meters.

Costs then even higher than direct debit.

Customers penalised for being in rented accommodation or not the funds to run direct debits. Penalised for being the most vulnerable.

But no worries everyone is warm and cosy in Downing Street.

JEFF WILLIAMS

Jubilee Road, Poole