Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with representatives of energy companies on the reasons for the increase in the day-to-day connectivity charge for smart metering for (a) existing and (b) new customers.

Energy consumers are not subject to a day-to-day connectivity charge for having a smart meter.

Energy suppliers may apply standing charges, a fixed charge that suppliers pass on to cover the cost of providing a live supply, for each metering point whether for a smart or traditional meter.