Prepayment Meters

Lord Sahota Excerpts
Tuesday 14th May 2024

(5 months, 4 weeks ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Callanan Portrait Lord Callanan (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am happy to hear the noble Lord’s clarification. If I am wrong on that, I will certainly write to him about it.

Lord Sahota Portrait Lord Sahota (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

My Lords, I represented one of the most deprived wards in my town for over 20 years. What I learned about these prepayment meters is that they are the bane of the lower-paid. Some of those people wanted them made illegal and to be taken out. Do the Government have any such plans?

Lord Callanan Portrait Lord Callanan (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

No, we believe that some customers prefer to have prepayment meters, which enable them to manage their credits and debts responsibly. Some customers choose that; some prefer direct debit; some prefer to operate on a normal credit basis. All choices will remain available. As I said, if they are not in debt, it is the customers’ choice as to what payment method they use.