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Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party). It was answered on Wednesday, 1 February 2023 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question

Q2

.

Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow North East) (SNP):

This morning, just two hours ago, I launched the all-party parliamentary group on prepayment meters. I did so because most people on those meters are on very low incomes, yet they pay more per unit of energy than the Prime Minister, they pay higher daily standing charges than the Prime Minister, and they are automatically disconnected from their energy supply the second they run out of money. Perversely, right now, record numbers of people are being forced to use them by the energy companies. Can the Prime Minister even begin to imagine how terrifying that moment is, when the lights go out and everything shuts down? Does he agree with me—rather than reading out what is written in front of him—that what I have just described is completely unfair?

Answer

The Government do recognise the challenges facing those on prepayment meters, and that is why the Government are taking action. The Secretary of State has set out five very specific points on prepayment meters. Energy suppliers are being spoken to to make sure that they treat customers with the respect and flexibility that they deserve. Finally, Ofgem has announced that it is launching a review into supplier practices in relation to prepayment meters. All of this comes on top of the considerable financial support that this Government have provided to help people with their energy bills, with more of that support being targeted at the most vulnerable families in our society.

Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
727 c339 
Session
2022-23
Oral question type
1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Enforcement Energy Meters Pre-payment
Link
View this Prime Minister's question on hansard.parliament.uk