Energy companies putting in prepayment meters shall be required to attempt to contact a buyer no less than ten occasions and conduct a “site welfare visit” earlier than forcibly conducting the set up, new tips will say.
Energy firm employees may even be required to put on physique cameras or sound recorders to ensure new power regulator guidelines that govern prepayment meter installations are being adhered to.
Ofgem’s new code of follow for prepayment meters will outright ban forcibly putting in prepayment meters within the properties of individuals with a terminal sickness and people aged 85 and older who do not have somebody to take care of them.
People with a well being situation that might be worsened by dwelling in a chilly dwelling – comparable to emphysema and sickle cell illness – may even be shielded from compelled set up, as will individuals who require a steady provide of electrical energy for medical gear.
Under present guidelines, meters are to not be put in within the properties of weak prospects. But an investigation by The Times newspaper discovered debt collectors working for British Gas had compelled their approach into the properties of weak prospects.
The head of British Gas dad or mum firm Centrica apologised on Sky News after the report got here to gentle.
The guidelines round prepayment meters have been revised in session with authorities, stakeholders and trade after the scandal emerged.
In February Ofgem requested suppliers to briefly droop the follow of compelled set up and overview their processes for coping with prospects who’ve fallen into arrears.
Prepayment meters are pay-as-you-go units that require top-up funds to offer fuel and electrical energy to a house. Energy suppliers set up the meters to prospects who’re in debt to keep away from them amassing increased payments.
If funds will not be made, no energy is provided. In an effort to forestall households being instantly with out energy, £30 credit score shall be given beneath the brand new guidelines.
The top-up funds are costlier than paying payments, one thing Chancellor Jeremy Hunt stated would finish in July.
Official figures confirmed greater than 94,000 meters had been put in in properties in Britain all through 2022.
Ofgem will announce full particulars of the code of follow, which companies have agreed to be certain by, on Tuesday morning.
But the brand new tips, initially reported in The Guardian newspaper, have fallen wanting some teams’ expectations.
Disability equality charity Scope, stated: “This process will still allow energy companies to install prepayment meters in some disabled households”.
“We want to see the forced installation of meters and remote switching banned outright for disabled people,” Tom Marsland, Scope coverage supervisor stated.
Source: information.sky.com”