Ofgem announces two more suppliers can restart involuntary prepayment meter installations
Ofgem has introduced two more vitality suppliers at the moment are permitted to restart involuntary installations of prepayment meters (PPMs).
E.ON and Tru Energy have now met the vitality regulator’s set of circumstances to return to forcibly becoming prepayment meters, after a brief ban for all suppliers.
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An Ofgem spokesperson mentioned: “Protecting customers is our primary precedence.
“We’ve made clear that suppliers should exhaust all different choices earlier than contemplating compelled set up of a prepayment meter, and customers can assist themselves by reaching out to their provider as quickly as attainable in the event that they assume they received’t be capable of pay their invoice, so fee choices can be mentioned.
“Our guidelines on when, and the way, a prepayment meter can be put in are clear and we received’t hesitate to take motion if suppliers act irresponsibly.”
The vitality watchdog mentioned they might proceed to work “closely” with shopper teams and suppliers to make sure households perceive their rights relating to prepayment meters.
Ofgem additionally mentioned they’ll “regularly review” their guidelines to ensure they work to guard essentially the most weak folks.
The spokesperson added: “We would also strongly encourage consumers to make sure their personal details and circumstances are up to date with their supplier, so they can be taken into consideration if or when payment problems arise.”
Suppliers might want to make no less than 10 makes an attempt to contact a buyer earlier than a prepayment meter is put in.
They may also want to hold out a website welfare go to earlier than the set up.
A PPM can’t be forcibly match if the family is taken into account to incorporate the “highest risk” prospects, corresponding to households requiring a steady vitality provide for well being causes, having an older occupant aged 75 and over with out help, or with kids underneath two years previous.
GB News has contacted E.ON asking for remark. Tru Energy declined to remark.
A spokesperson for EDF mentioned: “We have an obligation to maintain payments as little as attainable, particularly given prospects are struggling, and rising debt ranges are resulting in all households going through larger payments.
“It is vital to restart, underneath strict supervision from the regulator, processes that assist particular person prospects get out of debt and defend all prospects from further expenses.
“Smart Pay As You Go meters present the most affordable charges, while not having to go to a store to top-up, and allow us to supply help rapidly if prospects run into issue.”
Octopus Energy mentioned it doesn’t have crops to restart involuntary installations. The provider mentioned they’ve solely ever carried out involuntary installations in “extremely rare circumstances” and “any response at all from customers can halt” the method. Octopus Energy additionally mentioned they consistently test for vulnerabilities.
A ScottishPower spokesperson mentioned: “While we have now met Ofgem’s strict standards and been authorised to restart involuntary prepayment meter installations, the place applicable, that is all the time a final resort. Our focus will proceed to be on supporting our prospects to handle their debt and keep away from the necessity for such motion.
“If any buyer is struggling to pay, we might urge them to contact us or communicate to a debt charity straight away, so we can take their state of affairs into consideration and get them the assistance they want. Talking to us may also permit us to find out whether or not a prepayment meter is suitable for his or her particular person circumstances or not, according to the regulator’s strict guidelines and licence circumstances which we have now met.”
