New figures have revealed that more than 94,000 prepayment meters were forcibly installed without customer consent last year.
According to the same government figures by firms to Energy Security secretary Grant Shapps, 70 per cent of the installation were done by British Gas, Scottish Power, and OVO energy. The three large energy companies fitted a total of 66,187 devices under a warrant.
Meanwhile, Scottish Power has been labelled "the worst offender" after forcing more than 24,300 meters into its customers' homes.
Read more: Amazon Spring Sale 2023: best early deals today and what to expect
Mr Shapps said: “Today’s figures give a clear and horrifying picture of just how widespread the forced installation of prepayment meters had become, with last year seeing an average of over 7,500 force-fitted a month.
“Prepayment meters are right for some people, so I do not want to ban them outright, but I do have concerns that companies have not been treating their customers fairly, over an already difficult winter during which the Government has tried to help families by paying around half the energy bill of the average household.
“After my calls for change, I’m pleased that suppliers have made their actions public and agreed to put a stop to forcing prepayment on to vulnerable customers for good – but this cannot happen again.
“I will be watching (industry regulator) Ofgem’s ongoing review closely so customers get the support they need – and those vulnerable consumers who have wrongly suffered forced installations get the justice they deserve in the form of redress.”
Minister for energy, consumers and affordability Amanda Solloway said: “Another increase in the number of energy bill support vouchers redeemed by customers is great news, but I urge those that haven’t done so to use them as soon as possible – and suppliers must continue to do everything they can to make sure this happens.
“We will not stand for the mistreatment of vulnerable customers who have been forced on to prepayment meters. I welcome the move from Ofgem to make it easier for customers to report cases but this can’t be a one off, and suppliers must now offer redress to those they have wronged.”
Last week, Ofgem extended its ban on forced installation of prepayment meters until a new code of practice has been agreed and implemented by energy companies.
A Scottish Power spokesperson said: “Affordability is a major concern for customers and our processes are tailored to take account of customer vulnerabilities and circumstances. We would not switch a customer to prepayment without advanced notice and installing a prepayment meter is always a last resort, only after we have exhausted all other options to speak to and work with customers on debt repayment.
“ScottishPower is currently not installing pre-payment meters, or recovering debt from those customers on new pre-payment meters, unless requested by the customer and is focused purely on charging for usage.”
British Gas declined to comment.
Ovo was also approached by the Manchester Evening News for comment.
Read next:
- Two men suffer serious injuries in 'double stabbing' outside petrol station
- Gran died at hospital she worked at weeks after being told she had collapsed lung and stage four cancer
- Tributes paid to 'beautiful soul' at centre of shooting murder probe
- DWP confirms £301 cost of living payment date with millions to be paid in weeks
- 'Absolute stocked the **** up...got beltin' deals on': Phone messages that brought down a drugs empire
