Ofgem has mentioned it’s not searching for particulars from The Times newspaper about its undercover investigation that uncovered prepayment meters had been being forcibly put in in folks’s properties.
The U-turn comes after cupboard minister Grant Shapps informed Sky News the power regulator ought to “not be pursuing, or threatening to pursue” journalists on the paper for info.
In February, The Times uncovered allegations that power firms had been breaking into weak prospects’ properties to put in prepayment meters.
An undercover investigation by the newspaper claimed brokers from an organization utilized by British Gas to pursue money owed, Arvato Financial Solutions, had pressured their method into properties to suit the gadgets, regardless of indicators kids and disabled folks had been residing there.
Last month, power regulator Ofgem requested suppliers to droop the pressured set up of prepayment meters and evaluation their processes for coping with prospects who’ve fallen into arrears.
Mr Shapps, then enterprise secretary, additionally wrote to power bosses insisting they revise their practices and enhance motion to help weak households and ensure putting in prepayment meters is a real final resort.
In response, all power suppliers dedicated to ending the pressured set up of prepayment meters.
The Times reported final night time that the paper and considered one of its journalists had been informed handy over all their materials regarding the investigation or face a vast positive.
It has refused to take action, saying it’s journalistic materials, and they don’t seem to be required to conform.
Asked concerning the matter this morning, Mr Shapps criticised Ofgem for its actions.
He informed Sky News: “Journalists in this country do an incredible job of exposing problems, holding people like me and others to account. I will always be on the side of the freedom of our press.
“Ofgem, who’re a regulator, want to repair the issues that had been uncovered, not be pursuing, or threatening to pursue journalists who’ve uncovered these items, I might say, that the regulator ought to have been discovering itself.
“I can be as clear as you like on this. It is wrong for them to be pursuing the journalists. I would be very disappointed to see them progress that through the courts.
“The journalists are merely doing the job of uncovering one thing which completely shouldn’t be happening.
“I have cracked down very hard on that particular scandal, which was to do with prepayment meters. I expect the regulator to do the same job.”
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An Ofgem spokesman informed Sky News: “We are rescinding our information request to The Times. We will confirm formally in writing and publish later today to put it on public record.”
He added: “We initiated enforcement action against British Gas based on The Times’ detailed investigation and specific allegations.
“This is a posh course of requiring intensive info gathering, main proof of potential licence breaches and crosschecking as many sources as doable.
“This is essential to acting in the public interest and protecting vulnerable households.”
What has British Gas mentioned?
Centrica, the proprietor of British Gas, mentioned in an announcement final month that “all warrant activity” had been suspended and that defending weak prospects is an “absolute priority”.
Warrant exercise entails the corporate making use of to the courtroom for a warrant to put in a prepayment meter.
Centrica boss Chris O’Shea added he was launching an impartial investigation, telling Sky News’ enterprise presenter Ian King he felt “disappointed, livid and gutted”.
He mentioned “there is no excuse” for what the undercover investigation uncovered.
Source: information.sky.com”