Direct Debits

We were having a bit of a discussion in the pub last night about utility companies and their BILLS. Here is a strange fact: If you are rich, have a bank account and pay by direct debit, you get the cheapest deals. If you cant afford to pay monthly, your bills are more expensive, and if you are poor and have to use a pre-pay meter, you pay the most of all. So much for a caring society! And why are our bills going up when the utility companies make huge profits? It's for the fat cat directors and the shareholders (the rich ones again) - sod the customers eh?