Prepayment Meters

Richard Graham Excerpts

Monday 23rd January 2023 Commons Chamber

[Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con)]

Mortgage providers now do well in engaging with customers, managing difficulties and greatly reducing the number of repossessions. Does my right hon. Friend agree that energy companies should do likewise, rather than turning to prepayment meter warrants on the slightest pretext? If the numbers of warrants do not come down, does he agree that more should be done to have specific reduction targets?

[Graham Stuart]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We have to make sure that all suppliers are fulfilling the requirements set by Ofgem. Ofgem’s inquiry into the treatment of vulnerable customers by energy suppliers found weaknesses across the board, and it is engaging with suppliers on compliance. The Secretary of State wrote to Ofgem again in the last few days to reiterate the importance of ensuring that that compliance work has real teeth and that suppliers fulfil their obligations to protect these people.