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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Zoe Wood

British energy suppliers criticised over ‘disconnection by the back door’

Ofgem Citizens Advice Uswitch
It is thought up to 10,000 UK households are being switched on to prepayment meters each month.
It is thought up to 10,000 UK households are being switched on to prepayment meters each month. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

Ofgem has told energy suppliers in Britain to clean up their act after it received alarming reports of cash-strapped households being left without power for days or even weeks after being pushed on to a prepayment meter.

A recent analysis by the price comparison website Uswitch showed the number of people on a prepayment meter was rising for the first time since 2019 with thousands of Britons being switched every month as they struggle to pay higher energy bills.

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