Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the extent to which energy providers are requiring smart meter customers to vary their usage patterns as a condition of accessing advertised tariff benefits; and what consumer protections are in place in those circumstances.

Smart meters unlock flexible time-of-use tariffs that incentivise consumers to shift consumption to off-peak periods when overall demand is low and can pay them to use energy when there is surplus on the grid, such as on sunny or windy days. Consumers with these tariffs are not required to use energy at set times.

Ofgem’s supply licence conditions require suppliers to make tariff and contract information available to customers before they enter contracts, and more broadly to treat domestic customers fairly, honestly and transparently.