Grant Shapps Shuts Down Forced Prepayment Meter Installations
Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps has forced all UK energy suppliers to stop the shockingly invasive practice of forcing prepayment meters into vulnerable customers’ homes.
Crackdown on Energy Firms’ Rogue Behaviour
Following a surge in companies seeking warrants to storm into homes and install prepayment meters against people’s wishes, Shapps slammed the industry. He demanded energy bosses overhaul their tactics and only use prepayment meters as a last resort.
He ordered suppliers to disclose how many forced installations they’ve carried out, how they support vulnerable households, and what they will do to fix any wrongs.
Magistrates Back Off Warrants
Last month, Shapps kicked off a major crackdown. Energy Minister meetings and stricter magistrate scrutiny on warrants swiftly followed. This week, a court ruling by Lord Justice Edis told magistrates to stop rubber-stamping warrants for forced meter installs — effectively killing the practice.
But Suppliers Still Failing Vulnerable Customers
Shapps blasted Ofgem for missing the signs of mistreatment, including British Gas’ dodgy behaviour. He’s pushing the watchdog to get tougher and listen directly to consumers, not just company chiefs.
Despite all suppliers pledging to halt forced installs by Shapps’ deadline, many failed to explain how they’ll compensate or fix customers wrongly hit by prepayment meters. Shapps said this is only “the beginning” of rooting out this “abhorrent” practice.
“People will have understandably been shocked and appalled at how vulnerable people’s homes have been invaded and prepayment metres installed against their wishes – and suppliers are only at the beginning of correcting this abhorrent behaviour,” Shapps said.
“I am angered by the fact some have so freely moved vulnerable customers onto prepayment metres, without a proper plan to take remedial action where there has been a breach of the rules. So far, I’ve only received half of the picture.”
“This is simply not acceptable and must be addressed by Ofgem’s review – I want to see supplier plans implemented and customers given the service they have a right to expect.”
British Gas CEO Under Pressure
After a Times exposé, British Gas boss Chris O’Shea was hauled in by the Energy Minister. He was ordered to fix damage to the firm’s reputation and personally tackle the culture that led to vulnerable customers being mistreated.
Shapps has vowed to keep a hawk’s eye on suppliers and ensure proper compensation for victims. He also wants Ofgem to revamp its review process and create a new system where customers can report abuse directly — cutting out the middlemen.
This fight isn’t over. Shapps vows no more forced prepayment meters in vulnerable homes — or else.
