London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Sep 14, 2025

Crackdown on energy firms over rise in prepayment meters

Crackdown on energy firms over rise in prepayment meters

Energy suppliers should stop forcing vulnerable households on to prepayment meters, the government has said.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps warned he would "name and shame" suppliers who were doing "nowhere near enough" for vulnerable customers.

Charity Citizens Advice, which wants a ban on forced remote switching, called for "further protection" for customers.

Increasing numbers of people are being left without heat or light when they are unable to afford meter top-ups.

In a letter to energy suppliers, Mr Shapps said his new plan was "part of a drive to increase transparency around prepayment meter installations".

Mr Shapps said energy firms should make greater efforts to help those struggling to pay their bills, such as offering credit or debt advice.

He called for the "urgent publication" of energy suppliers' recent investigation into vulnerable customers, and the release of data on applications suppliers had made to forcibly install meters.

But the government will stop short of an outright ban due to concerns over a subsequent increase in bailiff action.

Energy Minister Graham Stuart has asked to meet next week with energy firms, regulator Ofgem, Energy UK - which represents the energy industry - and Citizens Advice.

Audrey Ridson, 81, was switched to a prepayment meter even though she could not walk to the shop to top up her energy card.

Ms Ridson, from Hampshire, had been in hospital recovering from a fall when her energy firm forced the switch to a prepayment account - even though her daughter-in-law warned her supplier that Audrey would struggle to top up her meter.

Audrey Risdon said her situation was not resolved until Citizens Advice became involved

In his letter, Mr Shapps wrote: "Suppliers are clearly jumping the gun and moving at-risk customers on to prepayment meters before offering them the support they are entitled to."

He said he wanted suppliers to "lend a more sympathetic ear" to those struggling amidst rising costs of living.

He added: "I am deeply concerned to see reports of customers being switched to prepayment meters against their will, with some disconnected from supply - and quite literally left in the dark."

Head of energy policy for Citizens Advice, Gillian Cooper, welcomed the plans, saying: "Millions of people are being left in cold, dark and damp homes because they can't afford to top up their meter. No one should be forced to live like this."

She said if suppliers did not co-operate, the government must step in with "stronger action". She also called for "further protections" for those already using prepayment meters.

Chief executive Emma Pinchbeck from Energy UK - which represents energy companies - said suppliers had increased support to customers over winter through payment holidays, payment plans and emergency credit - but that the fundamental problem remained: people struggling to pay their bills due to the rising cost of living.

"If the option to install a prepayment meter - after exhausting other options - is removed, then it needs to be acknowledged that this will lead to a significant increase in bad debt, which has already been rising steeply in recent months, and is ultimately recouped from customer bills," Ms Pinchbeck added.

British Gas has already announced that it will stop switching people onto prepayment meters via their smart meters when they struggle to pay their bills.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
Nvidia’s ‘Wow’ Factor Is Fading. The AI chip giant used to beat Wall Street expectations for earnings by a substantial margin. That trajectory is coming down to earth.
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Prince Harry Returns to Britain
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Murdoch Family Finalises $3.3 Billion Succession Pact, Ensuring Eldest Son’s Leadership
Big Oil Slashes Jobs and Investments Amid Prolonged Low Crude Prices
Court Staff Cover Up Banksy Image of Judge Beating a Protester
Social Media Access Curtailed in Turkey After CHP Calls for Rallies Following Police Blockade of Istanbul Headquarters
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
Elon Musk Poised to Become First Trillionaire Under Ambitious Tesla Pay Plan
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
Burning the Minister’s House Helped Protesters to Win Justice: Prabowo Fires Finance Minister in Wake of Indonesia Protests
Brazil Braces for Fallout from Bolsonaro Trial by corrupted judge
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
Nearly 40 Years Later: Nike Changes the Legendary Slogan Just Do It
×