• DEALING with EDF Energy is a trial, a test of patience.

Apart from an email starting “Hi L” – EDF tells me it does not know my first name – the firm was mistaken when telling me that it’s over seven months “since we had a read from you” (they mean a meter reading). It was three months and two days according to my online account.

I wrote to Simon Rossi, the chief executive, to complain and someone in his outer office sent another illiterate message in reply.

He has employed children at EDF, it seems.

I have now supplied a meter reading and my relationship with the company is even worse than it at first seemed.

The relevant pages alternate in usage between (meter) “read” and “reading”, such is their lack of professionalism.

I pay my electricity bills by direct debit and have done so for the 40 years I have lived in the same home.

My monthly payment increased from £83 to £141 in March and, yet, my account is £720.96 in credit – that is over five months of payments in credit. It’s my money, Mr Rossi, such a sum in your hands is tantamount to theft.

“We’re here to help” its states on my account pages online. Surely EDF means “We’re here to help ourselves to your money”.

I urge readers to check their electricity account and, if not happy, I am sure that SRossi@edfenergy.com would be pleased to help.

In a cost-of-living crisis this malpractice is a disgrace and the regulator should act.

The saving grace for EDF Energy is that my lights and power have not been cut for many years, but UK Power Networks deserves credit too. I am grateful for small mercies.

Why we let Électricité de France run our electricity in the first place defies belief.

LESTER MAY
Reachview Close, NW1