1-20 of 80 results for subject:Meters
Librarians' tools
- Search time
- 0.248 seconds
- Solr query time
- 0.005 seconds
- Search query
- subject:Meters
- We searched for
- subject_t:Meters OR subject_t:"Smart meters" OR subject_ses:92001
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
More
Primary member
Answering member
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
More
Publisher
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 been awarded a penny of compensation under the scheme. As the Minister has just outlined, only 1,500 people, out of 150,000, have had any compensation awarded at all. That is 1%, so why is the number so small? Could it be that the energy suppliers themselves, overseen by Ofgem, are deciding who is entitled to these payments? Both sat idly by as agents forced their way into people’s homes to install the 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 been awarded a penny of compensation under the scheme. As the Minister has just outlined, only 1,500 people, out of 150,000, have had any compensation awarded at all. That is 1%, so why is the number so small? Could it be that the energy suppliers themselves, overseen by Ofgem, are deciding who is entitled to these payments? Both sat idly by as agents forced their way into people’s homes to install the prepayment meters.
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and for the opportunity to provide clarity. The forced installation of prepayment meters is clearly unacceptable, and the Government have done everything we can to counteract it. However, I reiterate that 150,000 investigations were carried out, in 2,500 of those cases compensation is due and, instead of 1%, the actual figure on compensation is 60%.
What estimate she has made of the number of households receiving compensation after being involuntarily fitted with prepayment meters.
What estimate she has made of the number of households receiving compensation after being involuntarily fitted with prepayment meters.
The energy suppliers are responsible for paying compensation. They have carried out 150,000 assessments so far, with 2,500 customers due compensation. A total of 1,502 payments have been made, with 1,000 more planned.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2023 to Question 184838, what his Department's planned timescale is for the review on improvements to the information held on warrant applications; and if he will make a statement upon the conclusion of that review.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2023 to Question 184838, what his Department's planned timescale is for the review on improvements to the information held on warrant applications; and if he will make a statement upon the conclusion of that review.
It is not yet possible to commit to a timescale for a decision on the improvements to be made to the collection of information concerning applications for rights of entry warrants by energy firms. This is because any changes would need to be applied to the systems and processes of both HM Courts and Tribunals Service and the energy firms. Changes need to be costed, agreed, and prioritised against other system changes, following consultation with the judiciary.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department will begin to record information on the reasons for the granting of warrants to allow energy firms to force entry into people's homes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department will begin to record information on the reasons for the granting of warrants to allow energy firms to force entry into people's homes.
HMCTS has kept a central register of all applications for warrants of entry since 2018. The data sets out how many applications are successful or refused. However, the figures represent all warrants of entry under the Gas and Electricity Acts, so for example, warrants for the purpose of installing a prepayment meter cannot be isolated from the data. HMCTS is reviewing what further improvements we can make to the information we hold and may collect in the future.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it is his Department's policy to end the prepayment meter premium (a) from July 2023 and (b) from April 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it is his Department's policy to end the prepayment meter premium (a) from July 2023 and (b) from April 2024.
From 1 July, the Government will use the Energy Price Guarantee to eliminate the premium paid by households on prepayment meters (PPMs), which is worth around £45 per year. The Government has asked Ofgem to report by the autumn on options to permanently remove the PPM differential, for when the EPG ends on 31 March 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Minister for Energy and Climate's response to the hon. Member for Harwich and North Essex during the Urgent Question on Prepayment Meters: Ofgem Decision on 6 February 2023, Official Report, column 672, whether he plans to publish his...
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Minister for Energy and Climate's response to the hon. Member for Harwich and North Essex during the Urgent Question on Prepayment Meters: Ofgem Decision on 6 February 2023, Official Report, column 672, whether he plans to publish his...
All warrants for forced entry to install pre-payment meters are made by members of the judiciary under the Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954 in accordance with rights of entry granted by the Gas Act 1986 and the Electricity Act 1989.
Statutory responsibility for issuing guidance to the judiciary is held by the Lord Chief Justice, the Senior President of Tribunals, and the Chief Coroner.
As the judiciary are independent, it is not appropriate to comment on judicial matters.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February 2023 to Question 142820 on Energy: Meters, what steps his Department will take against suppliers that refuse to be transparent with their data.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February 2023 to Question 142820 on Energy: Meters, what steps his Department will take against suppliers that refuse to be transparent with their data.
Suppliers have responded to my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State regarding data on the number of warrants sought and executed in 2022. The Government and Ofgem will verify this data and will publish it in due course.
How many households had forced installations of prepayment meters in 2022.
How many households had forced installations of prepayment meters in 2022.
I wrote to suppliers in January calling on them to halt the inappropriate use of prepayment meters and to provide transparency on the use of warrants in people’s homes. Along with a number of other steps, that has led to the cessation of that practice.
The Secretary of State will know that I wrote to all energy companies before the practice was suspended. The mixed bag of responses showed that a voluntary approach simply will not work. Utilita chief executive officer Bill Bullen said:
“We will not commit to ending the forcible use of prepay. That course of action is simply not sustainable.”
There is a suspension until 31 March, and compensation has been talked about. However, all that is about is Ofgem asking companies to look at whether the forced instalment was appropriate. Companies know that Ofgem is toothless. It is down to the Secretary of State to ban this practice and to set out how compensation will be given out.
The Secretary of State will know that I wrote to all energy companies before the practice was suspended. The mixed bag of responses showed that a voluntary approach simply will not work. Utilita chief executive officer Bill Bullen said:
“We will not commit to ending the forcible use of prepay. That course of action is simply not sustainable.”
There is a suspension until 31 March, and compensation has been talked about. However, all that is about is Ofgem asking companies to look at whether the forced instalment was appropriate. Companies know that Ofgem is toothless. It is down to the Secretary of State to ban this practice and to set out how compensation will be given out.
I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s moves in this sphere. To be clear to the House, I wrote to the suppliers and received reassurances that they would end the practice. I asked Ofgem—I have to say that I thought the wool had been pulled over its eyes—to not just take energy companies’ word for it but go to the customers, which it is doing. I queried the fact that the courts were issuing mass warrants, which they have agreed to end. He talks about what happens next; he is right that Ofgem is looking at what further protections will be in place. Its work will conclude shortly with further announcements.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many households experienced forced installations of prepayment meters by (a) warrant and (b) remote switching in 2022; and if he will publish a breakdown of those figures by constituency.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many households experienced forced installations of prepayment meters by (a) warrant and (b) remote switching in 2022; and if he will publish a breakdown of those figures by constituency.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave the Hon. Member for Newport East on 9th November 2022 to Question 75843 for Ofgem’s most recent data. Smart meter data includes households that have requested switching to prepayment mode. This data is not available at constituency level.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Minister for Energy and Climate's contribution to the Urgent Question of 6 February 2023 on Prepayment Meters: Ofgem Decision, over what time period the Government and Ofgem are investigating poor practice concerning prepayment meters.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Minister for Energy and Climate's contribution to the Urgent Question of 6 February 2023 on Prepayment Meters: Ofgem Decision, over what time period the Government and Ofgem are investigating poor practice concerning prepayment meters.
Ofgem has outlined the timescales for its Market Compliance Review on prepayment meters and remote switching. As per the letter on 15 February 2023, Ofgem published an update on the scope and timelines on 21 February 2023.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February 2023 to Question 142820 on Energy: Meters, when this data will be published; and where it will be published.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February 2023 to Question 142820 on Energy: Meters, when this data will be published; and where it will be published.
Following a request from my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State, all suppliers have provided data on the number of warrants sought and executed in 2022. The Government and Ofgem will verify this data and will publish it in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Minister for Energy and Climate's contribution to the Urgent Question of 6 February 2023 on Prepayment Meters: Ofgem Decision, when he plans to publish details of the proposed compensation scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Minister for Energy and Climate's contribution to the Urgent Question of 6 February 2023 on Prepayment Meters: Ofgem Decision, when he plans to publish details of the proposed compensation scheme.
The Government will not publish details of a proposed compensation scheme. Specific matters of redress will be taken forward by Ofgem as the independent regulator. On 21 February Ofgem set out the next steps in its prepayment meter review. As part of this, Ofgem has told suppliers to act now to check that PPMs have been installed appropriately, and if rules have been broken, offer customers a reversal of installations and compensation payments where appropriate. Ofgem can also issue fines if necessary to address non-compliance.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Minister for Energy and Climate's contribution to the Urgent Question of 6 February 2023 on Prepayment Meters: Ofgem Decision, what the results were of the Government's investigation into decision-making on the process for obtaining...
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Minister for Energy and Climate's contribution to the Urgent Question of 6 February 2023 on Prepayment Meters: Ofgem Decision, what the results were of the Government's investigation into decision-making on the process for obtaining...
Ofgem wrote to suppliers asking them to pause the installation of pre-payment meters under warrant until they had completed a review of how this work is carried out and managed. Ofgem will also be looking at the rules around mandatory moves to prepayment meters, when a court warrant can be applied for, and the steps that first need to be taken.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish a summary of energy suppliers' responses on redress for vulnerable customers affected by forced prepayment meter installations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish a summary of energy suppliers' responses on redress for vulnerable customers affected by forced prepayment meter installations.
All suppliers responded to my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State and set out their plans for identifying customers that may have had prepayment meters wrongfully installed. These plans have been shared with Ofgem.
On 21st February, Ofgem set out more detail on their prepayment meter market compliance review and reiterated that suppliers should take action now if they are aware of instances wher a prepayment meter has been installed inappropriately.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2023 to Question 135450 on Energy: Meters, whether his Department has set a deadline for energy suppliers to publish that data.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2023 to Question 135450 on Energy: Meters, whether his Department has set a deadline for energy suppliers to publish that data.
All energy suppliers have responded to the letter dated 4th February from my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State. These responses have been shared with Ofgem and the relevant data will be published in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will ask Ofgem for an assurance that their Market Compliance Review into prepayment meters examines the outcomes for consumers as well as processes and governance within suppliers.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will ask Ofgem for an assurance that their Market Compliance Review into prepayment meters examines the outcomes for consumers as well as processes and governance within suppliers.
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to Ofgem in January, highlighting his expectations that Ofgem revisits supplier processes relating to self-disconnections, remote switching, forced installations, and the decisions taken before putting a customer on a prepayment meter in their Market Compliance Review, with a focus on outcomes for consumers. The focus on customer experiences was also reinforced in a letter from the Secretary of State to Ofgem in February. The Government expects Ofgem to take firm action in addressing such issues.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will hold discussions with Ofgem on including remote switching in the suspension of forced prepayment meter installations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will hold discussions with Ofgem on including remote switching in the suspension of forced prepayment meter installations.
Following interventions from Government and Ofgem, all energy suppliers have agreed immediately to halt forced installations and remote transfers to prepayment meters until the end of March 2023. This includes ceasing installation by warrant, ceasing the remote mode switch of smart meters to prepayment mode without explicit agreement from the customer, and ceasing new applications to court for installation warrants – unless theft is suspected.[1]
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of how many households have been forced onto prepayment meters (a) by warrant and (b) via remote switching since the start of December 2022.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of how many households have been forced onto prepayment meters (a) by warrant and (b) via remote switching since the start of December 2022.
The Government has asked energy suppliers to share data on the number of warrants that they have requested for the forcible fitting of prepayment meters; this request has been backed by Ofgem who have encouraged suppliers to be transparent with their data.
Additionally, Ofgem has announced a Market Compliance Review focused on remote switching and forced installations to assess if suppliers have wrongly been switching customers to prepayment meters and will take action if licence conditions are found to have been breached.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Answer from the Minister for Climate to the Question from the hon. Member for Glasgow North on 6 February 2023, Official Report, column 678, on what evidential basis he said that it was highly...
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Answer from the Minister for Climate to the Question from the hon. Member for Glasgow North on 6 February 2023, Official Report, column 678, on what evidential basis he said that it was highly...
The BEIS 2022 Annual Fuel Poverty Statistics Report highlights that in 2020, 31% of households with an electricity prepayment meter were fuel poor (11% of households paying by direct debit were fuel poor and 15% who paid by cash and cheque): https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-fuel-poverty-statistics-report-2022.
Updated statistics are due to be published on 28 February 2023.