SCOTLAND has been “treated as an afterthought”, an SNP politician has said, after a new investigation found a “smart meter divide” between Scotland and England.
The comment comes as a new investigation by BBC Panorama has shed light on a “smart meter divide” in Scotland and England.
We told how one Glasgow man was told by his energy supplier that his smart meter did not work because he was too “far up north”.
The BBC Panorama documentary, set to be aired on Monday evening, found customers in Scotland were more likely to have issues with their smart meters than their English counterparts, making their energy bills higher as a result.
While smart meters in most of England and Wales rely on mobile technology – meaning the signal can be improved by an aerial – in Scotland and northern England they use longer-range radio signals to operate, which can cause issues.
Radio signal was used in Scotland as it was thought that the signals would be able to travel further and reach rural communities more easily.
Those who are experiencing issues with their smart meters then have to submit readings to their energy supplier manually, meaning that they receive estimated bills instead, which are less accurate and therefore often more expensive.
‘The people of Scotland are yet again being disadvantaged’
The National spoke to former SNP MP Anne McLaughlin, who previously campaigned on pre-payment meters and introduced a bill at Westminster which sought to require energy companies to allow a grace period before disconnecting customers with pre-payment meters who have run out of credit.
McLaughlin (below) told The National the investigation highlights how Scotland is being treated as “an afterthought”.
She said: “Smart meters are so important for two main reasons.
“First, the obvious environmental impact of unknowingly wasting energy, and secondly it puts some of the power in the hands of the energy user.
“Nobody in Scotland, a wealthy country dripping in renewable energy, should have to scrimp and save when it comes to heating their homes, but whilst the powers lie with the UK Government, this is where we are.”
McLaughlin added: “Yet now we discover that the people of Scotland are yet again being disadvantaged, this time by unreliable technology.
“Again, despite the contribution this country makes to energy provision, despite the fact that it is colder here, our people and many in the north of England are treated as an afterthought.”
How do smart meters work?
The aim of smart meters is to help people save money on their bills, while lowering carbon emissions as part of the Government’s net zero plan.
By showing how much energy households are using, and how much it is costing, meters are intended to encourage people to use more energy at times of day when it is cheaper – because there is a surplus while most are in bed and factories are closed.
As more energy comes from renewable sources, smart meters are expected to form a vital part of a “smart grid”, allowing consumers’ demand for energy to match the available supply, minute-by-minute.
The Herald told how as of March, 2023, 43% of electricity meters in Scotland are smart. This is lower than the 55% average for Great Britain.
Scotland produces much of the UK's energy. According to 2020 figures from the UK Government, Scotland provides around a quarter of the UK's overall renewable output.
We told how Scotland has generated more renewable energy so far this year than in any other.
Recent government figures estimate around 3.5 million smart meters across the UK do not work properly.
The UK Government has said there is a legal requirement for suppliers to make sure smart meters are working. A spokesperson added the Government expects suppliers to “resolve all issues at a much faster pace”.
Yet energy suppliers do not have direct control over the communication network, which is run by the Data Communications Company (DCC) and operated by outsourcing company Capita.
Four companies were awarded a contract by the UK Government in 2013 to set up and operate the DCC to provide the infrastructure needed to roll out smart meters.
The truth about smart meters is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and will air on BBC One on Monday at 8pm.
