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 paragraph 173 of the Government’s response to the Consultation on Smart Meter Policy Framework Post-2020, published in June 2021, which policy measures designed to increase consumer uptake of smart meters are being progressed (a) immediately and (b) at an appropriate time.

Smart meters are replacing traditional gas and electricity meters in Great Britain as part of an essential infrastructure upgrade to make the energy system more efficient and flexible, enabling the cost-effective delivery of net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The rollout is making good progress, with 24.2 million smart and advanced meters in homes and small businesses across Great Britain.

The Government wants to ensure that households and small businesses in Great Britain can benefit from smart metering and recognises that reaching this goal will involve continued collaboration between government, industry and Smart Energy GB and their partner organisations over the next phase of the rollout.

Further detail on activity that is seeking to drive consumer uptake of smart meters, including steps that have already been taken, is included in Annex B of the Government's recent response to the consultation on the smart meter policy framework post 2020: minimum annual targets and reporting thresholds for energy suppliers.