Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will take steps to stop the remote switching of smart meters to prepayment mode for vulnerable households.

Energy suppliers are obligated under licence conditions to follow strict rules when switching a smart meter from credit to prepayment mode, to safeguard consumers.

Suppliers must only provide a prepayment service when a consumer is in debt where they assess that it is safe and reasonably practicable to do so. The supplier's assessment should include identifying any vulnerability, such as a disability that prevents a consumer from being able to use appropriately a prepayment meter or customers that require a continuous energy supply for health reasons.

If energy suppliers assess it is safe and reasonably practicable, they must then give at least seven days’ notice in advance of the change from credit to prepay mode on the smart meter.

The regulator, Ofgem, is reviewing energy supplier compliance with these requirements and has made it clear it will take strong action where suppliers have failed to follow them.