Prepayment Meters Compensation 2024-01-16
2024-01-16
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
There have been instances of energy companies installing prepayment meters without proper consent, leading to compensation claims by affected households.
What recent discussions has the Minister had with Ofgem on the compensation payment process for households that have had prepayment meters wrongfully installed?
I have met Ofgem and suppliers to reiterate my expectations that the new rules will be followed. Ofgem has announced that if a supplier wrongfully installs a prepayment meter, it will be expected to compensate its customers appropriately.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Despite the Government's pause on forced installation of prepayment meters last year, some companies have resumed this practice under a new rules regime.
Does the Minister think that in the middle of winter we can trust energy suppliers with a history of unscrupulous practices to self-regulate? Will the Government instead legislate to ban the forced installation of prepayment meters?
I acknowledge how awful it was that people had their homes broken into to force fit prepayment meters, but there is also a place for prepayment meters to enable people and to support people out of debt. I reassure the House that I have scrutinised every level of the regime for prepayment meters now that we are going back to reinforcement to absolutely ensure that we will not see all the scandalous practices that happened before.
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Assessment & feedback
Whether current rules and self-regulation are sufficient to prevent forced installations in winter
Acknowledges Past Issues But Reiterates Support For Prepayment Meters
Reassures Scrutiny Of The Regime
Response accuracy