Energy suppliers, including British Gas, have resorted to using court orders to install expensive prepayment meters in 7,500 households each month. However, this controversial practice has been cracked down on this year. According to data from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, over 94,000 prepayment meters were forcibly installed in 2022.
The data revealed that three companies, namely British Gas, Scottish Power, and Ovo Energy, accounted for 70% of all the prepayment meters that were forcefully fitted. Scottish Power was the biggest offender, having installed more than 24,300 meters when taking its customer base into account.
Before the crackdown, customers with prepayment meters were subject to higher energy rates compared to those who paid via direct debit. Moreover, these households faced the risk of having their energy supply completely cut off if they couldn’t top up their meters.
Energy Secretary Grant Shapps expressed concern about the widespread forced installation of prepayment meters and questioned the fairness exhibited by energy companies. He highlighted the government’s efforts to assist families by covering approximately half of the average household’s energy bill during a challenging winter.
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