Forced installation of prepayment meters banned for over 85s and those with conditions worsened by cold | Business News

Power corporations putting in prepayment meters shall be required to attempt to contact a buyer at the least ten occasions and conduct a “web site welfare go to” earlier than forcibly conducting the set up, new pointers will say.

Power firm staff may also be required to put on physique cameras or sound recorders to verify new power regulator guidelines that govern prepayment meter installations are being adhered to.

Ofgem’s new code of observe for prepayment meters will outright ban forcibly putting in prepayment meters within the properties of individuals with a terminal sickness and people aged 85 and older who haven’t got somebody to take care of them.

Individuals with a well being situation that might be worsened by dwelling in a chilly dwelling – reminiscent of emphysema and sickle cell illness – may also be protected against compelled set up, as will individuals who require a steady provide of electrical energy for medical tools.

Underneath existing rules, meters are to not be put in within the properties of weak clients. However an investigation by The Occasions newspaper discovered debt collectors working for British Gasoline had forced their way into the homes of vulnerable customers.

The top of British Gasoline mother or father firm Centrica apologised on Sky News after the report got here to mild.

The foundations round prepayment meters have been revised in session with authorities, stakeholders and business after the scandal emerged.

In February Ofgem asked suppliers to temporarily suspend the practice of compelled set up and evaluate their processes for coping with clients who’ve fallen into arrears.

Prepayment meters are pay-as-you-go units that require top-up funds to offer fuel and electrical energy to a house. Power suppliers set up the meters to clients who’re in debt to keep away from them amassing increased payments.

If funds should not made, no energy is equipped. In an effort to forestall households being instantly with out energy, £30 credit score shall be given below the brand new guidelines.

The highest-up funds are dearer than paying payments, one thing Chancellor Jeremy Hunt stated would end in July.

Official figures confirmed more than 94,000 meters have been put in in properties in Britain all through 2022.

Ofgem will announce full particulars of the code of observe, which corporations have agreed to be sure by, on Tuesday morning.

However the brand new pointers, initially reported in The Guardian newspaper, have fallen in need of some teams’ expectations.

Incapacity equality charity Scope, stated: “This course of will nonetheless permit power corporations to put in prepayment meters in some disabled households”.

“We need to see the compelled set up of meters and distant switching banned outright for disabled folks,” Tom Marsland, Scope coverage supervisor stated.