This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65305959
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Forced prepay meter installations to be banned in homes of over-85s | Forced prepay meter installations to be banned in homes of over-85s |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The forcible instalment of prepayment energy meters in homes of customers over 85 will be banned under new rules from the regulator Ofgem. | |
| Suppliers will also have to give customers more chances to clear their debts before making them switch. | |
| It comes after debt agents for British Gas broke into some people's homes to fit meters, sparking an outcry. | It comes after debt agents for British Gas broke into some people's homes to fit meters, sparking an outcry. |
| Switching people onto prepayment meters without their consent has become more common as since energy prices went up. | Switching people onto prepayment meters without their consent has become more common as since energy prices went up. |
| Suppliers can do it by warrant or remotely via a customer's smart meter. | Suppliers can do it by warrant or remotely via a customer's smart meter. |
| But campaigners say prepayment meters - which must be topped up - leave vulnerable customers at risk of running out of credit and losing access to light and heat. | But campaigners say prepayment meters - which must be topped up - leave vulnerable customers at risk of running out of credit and losing access to light and heat. |
| Ofgem placed a temporary ban on all forcible installations after the Times newspaper exposed the practices at British Gas. | |
| But the BBC understands that on Tuesday at 7am, the regulator will announce that all energy suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales have signed up to a code of conduct that sets out the practices they should adhere to when fitting the meters. | But the BBC understands that on Tuesday at 7am, the regulator will announce that all energy suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales have signed up to a code of conduct that sets out the practices they should adhere to when fitting the meters. |
| Under the rules, first reported by the Guardian, suppliers will now have to make at least 10 attempts to contact a customer - and conduct a "site welfare visit" before a prepayment meter is installed. | Under the rules, first reported by the Guardian, suppliers will now have to make at least 10 attempts to contact a customer - and conduct a "site welfare visit" before a prepayment meter is installed. |
| Representatives fitting them will also have to wear body cameras or audio equipment to make sure the rules are followed. | |
| In addition: | |
| Suppliers will not be allowed to fit meters for customers over 85 or anyone with a terminal illness. Those with health conditions such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema and sickle cell disease, which could be worsened by living in a cold home, will also be exempt. | |
| Those forced onto a prepay meter - either by warrant or remotely - will be given £30 of credit initially to reduce the risk of them losing supply. | |
| Suppliers have also been told to identify where meters were wrongfully installed and to return the customer to their previous tariff and offer compensation. | |
| Ofgem is expected to remind suppliers that forced installations are a last resort, the Guardian reported. | |
| Its boss Jonathan Brearley will say he wants chief executives of energy suppliers to "treat their most vulnerable customers as they would want their own loved ones to be treated". | |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Global energy crisis | Global energy crisis |
| Centrica | Centrica |
| Ofgem | Ofgem |
| British Gas | British Gas |
| Smart meters | Smart meters |