Energy: Meters

(asked on 4th September 2017) - View Source

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to introduce a new duty on energy companies to set out a timetable to reduce the number of people on prepayment meters.


Answered by
Margot James Portrait
Margot James
This question was answered on 7th September 2017

There are no are plans to introduce a new duty on energy companies to set out a timetable to reduce the number of households paying for their energy by prepayment meter.

While data published by Ofgem in its Domestic Suppliers’ Social Obligations annual reports showed prepayment meters have historically been installed to repay debt, the latest report published last year, showed that in 2015 there was evidence of increasing consumer demand for prepayment meters.

This demand appears to be driven by smart meters operating in pay-as-you-go mode, which are transforming consumer experience of pre-payment metering. Topping up a smart meter in pay-as-you-go mode is as easy as topping up a mobile phone, with no need to access the meter. Being able to see an account balance on an easily accessible In Home Display reduces the risk of pre-payment customers accidently self-disconnecting from their energy supply when they run out of credit. This Government is committed to ensuring every home and small business in the country is offered a smart meter by the end of 2020.

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