For the first time in months, warrants have been granted to allow the mandatory fitting of prepayment meters following a scandal about the practice. Scottish Power has been given permission to enter homes to install meters after unpaid bills. Energy regulator Ofgem must give approval, but no supplier has yet met all the criteria required. The fitting of meters was halted after agents broke into vulnerable people’s homes. Forced meters have not been installed since February. Ofgem has created a code of conduct for suppliers, which sets out what they need to do before installing prepayment meters.
Some 124 applications were made by Scottish Power to Berkshire Magistrates Court on Thursday. Customers had not paid their energy bills, often owing £2,000 for gas and the same for electricity. Scottish Power reportedly tried to contact the customers using a variety of methods, including email, text, and visits to properties. The applications were granted by District Judge Samuel Goozee, but Scottish Power has said it would not fit a meter if there was evidence there was a high vulnerability risk in the household. A sum of £30 would be credited to the prepayment meter when it was installed.
Until they meet the required criteria, no supplier may restart the involuntary installation of prepayment meters, according to Ofgem. Those criteria include having an independent assessment of a supplier’s ability to fulfil the rules, boards having approved the conditions being met, and supplying Ofgem with regular monitoring data. In addition, suppliers must prove to courts hearing warrant applications that they can comply with a code of conduct set by Ofgem. The code, which becomes binding on 8 November, states that suppliers must make at least 10 attempts to contact a customer and conduct a “site welfare visit” before fitting meters.
Meanwhile, campaigners are calling for a ban on the force-fitting of prepaid meters. Such a ban would require government ministers to introduce it. Fitted meters were not to be installed in households containing children under two, people over 75 (unless someone younger also lived in the home), or anyone living with terminal illness or certain conditions worsened by cold. Lead fitters would also be required to wear body cameras or audio equipment.
Those unable to afford their energy bills can check their direct debit, ask suppliers for an “able to pay plan” that reflects what they can afford, and claim all relevant benefits. MoneyHelper’s website provides advice on entitlements.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More