Oral Answers to Questions

Ruth Jones Excerpts

Tuesday 28th February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Dan Carden (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)]

3. How many households had forced installations of prepayment meters in 2022.

[Ruth Jones (Newport West) (Lab)]

15. How many households in Newport West constituency had forced installations of prepayment meters in 2022.

[Paula Barker (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab)]

18. How many households had forced installations of prepayment meters in 2022.

--- Later in debate ---

[Grant Shapps]

I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s moves in this sphere. To be clear to the House, I wrote to the suppliers and received reassurances that they would end the practice. I asked Ofgem—I have to say that I thought the wool had been pulled over its eyes—to not just take energy companies’ word for it but go to the customers, which it is doing. I queried the fact that the courts were issuing mass warrants, which they have agreed to end. He talks about what happens next; he is right that Ofgem is looking at what further protections will be in place. Its work will conclude shortly with further announcements.

[Ruth Jones]

I thank the Secretary of State for his initial response, but constituents in Newport West will be disappointed by it. This Government are ducking their responsibilities on the control of energy bills, and are relying on the regulator to do the right thing. How can it be right that the installation of prepayment meters will recommence at the end of March? Why should those with the least have to pay the most to heat their homes and keep the lights on?

[Grant Shapps]

I take issue with the idea that the Government are somehow ducking our responsibility. As I mentioned, we are paying around half of household energy bills this winter. We took action—I will not repeat what it was—that brought the prepayment meter scandal to a conclusion. That work, and what happens next, is being looked at very carefully. Ofgem will look at what happens if there is no fall-back solution when energy bills are not being paid. That is a complex issue, but more will be said about it soon.