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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Government’s response on the Consultation on Smart Meter Policy Framework Post-2020, published in June 2021, what the scope will be of the mid-point review that was set out in that response; and at what point during the second year of the new framework that mid-point review will take place.

The Government wants to ensure that households and small businesses in Great Britain can benefit from smart metering. Therefore, we have confirmed a new four-year smart metering policy Framework with fixed annual installation targets for energy suppliers will commence on 1 January 2022 to drive the consistent, long-term investment needed to achieve market-wide rollout.

A mid-point review of the Framework will take place during 2023. The review will consider the tolerance methodology, including the forecasting model, as well as the latest available evidence on the progress of the rollout in line with developments in market conditions, consumer attitudes and energy supplier performance. Tolerance levels for Year 3 (2024) and Year 4 (2025) will be consulted upon following that review point and in advance of the start of Year 3.