Context
The energy ombudsman has ruled that some constituents should not have been placed on prepayment meters due to vulnerabilities. Only 1,502 out of 150,000 assessments resulted in compensation.
Question
What estimate do you have of the number of households receiving compensation after being involuntarily fitted with prepayment meters? Despite the energy ombudsman ruling that one of my constituents should not have been placed on a prepayment meter due to her vulnerabilities, she has not received any compensation. Only 150,000 assessments were made and only 2,500 cases are due compensation, making it 1%. Why is the number so small? Could it be that energy suppliers decide who receives payments?
Answer from Amanda Solloway
The energy suppliers are responsible for paying compensation. They have carried out 150,000 assessments so far, with 2,500 customers due compensation and 1,502 payments made, with another 1,000 planned. I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question; the forced installation of prepayment meters is unacceptable, and the Government have done everything to counteract it. The actual figure on compensation is 60%, not 1%.
Not addressed: Specifics about why only a small number of claims are being compensated were not addressed in full detail.
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