Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will request data from Ofgem on (a) the number of customers subject to the involuntary installation of a pre-payment meter, (b) the proportion customers who were given a £30 credit per meter or a non disconnection period equivalent to that amount in each of the last three years; and he will request a breakdown by (i) energy supply company for (A) England, (B) Scotland, (C) Wales and (D) Northern Ireland and (ii) UK parliamentary constituency.

The independent regulator Ofgem collects and publishes a range of data on pre-payment meters (PPMs), including the numbers of households that have been remotely switched to PPMs. Data is not available at parliamentary constituency level.

On 13 September Ofgem published its decision on new rules for suppliers in relation to involuntary prepayment meter installations. These rules will be implemented into supplier licence conditions on 8th November and therefore become mandatory. The Code of Practice and current pause on involuntary prepayment meter installations that all suppliers have agreed to remain in place in the meantime.