RICH people’s energy bills are being subsidised by poorer households, it was claimed today.

North West MEP Paul Nuttall is calling on the Energy Secretary Amber Rudd to support his campaign to stop low-income families paying more for fuel than the better off.

The power firms have been told by Rudd to start cutting household bills by passing on the 20 per cent fall in wholesale costs of gas and electricity costs.

But Mr Nuttall, Ukip deputy leader, said the biggest scandal was how people pay more if they do not set up direct debit accounts.

He said: “It is obviously right that these savings should be passed onto the consumers, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet.

“But I think the Energy Secretary needs to go further and also tell these energy firms that it is unfair that those with pre-payment meters have to pay over the odds.

“These meters mean that those who pay in advance for their gas and electricity have to pay an average of £80 a year more than direct debit customers.

“It is the poorest in society and those least able to fight their corner who are penalised in this way and I think that is totally wrong.

“These power providers are raking in eye-watering profits. They should cut their charges but they should also stop penalising pre-payment users.”

Last year 97,000 pre-pay gas and electricity meters were installed in England, Wales and Scotland.