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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the reasons are for the time taken to prepare the readiness of the Data and Communications Company after Capita plc was awarded the operating licence in October 2013; and what the timetable is for that company to become ready.

The majority of the new smart metering data and communications infrastructure went live on 8 November. This will enable the next generation of smart meters to be installed across Great Britain and put households and business in control of their energy use.

Since being awarded the DCC Licence in September 2013, Smart DCC Ltd has overseen the detailed design, build and test of the shared system that will carry smart metering data for all energy suppliers. It was important that the system was fully tested so energy suppliers can use it reliably and consumers can benefit from accurate bills, feedback on their energy consumption, and can switch energy suppliers quickly and easily.