Energy companies putting in prepayment meters can be required to attempt to contact a buyer at the least ten instances and conduct a “site welfare visit” earlier than forcibly conducting the set up, new tips will say.
Energy firm staff can 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 observe for prepayment meters will outright ban forcibly putting in prepayment meters within the houses 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 may be worsened by dwelling in a chilly residence – comparable to emphysema and sickle cell illness – can even be shielded from pressured set up, as will individuals who require a steady provide of electrical energy for medical tools.
Under present guidelines, meters are to not be put in within the houses of susceptible clients. But an investigation by The Times newspaper discovered debt collectors working for British Gas had pressured their method into the houses of susceptible clients.
The head of British Gas mum or dad firm Centrica apologised on Sky News after the report got here to mild.
The guidelines round prepayment meters have been revised in session with authorities, stakeholders and business after the scandal emerged.
In February Ofgem requested suppliers to quickly droop the observe of pressured set up and evaluate their processes for coping with clients who’ve fallen into arrears.
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Sky’s Paul Kelso spoke to 2 individuals affected by the obligatory prepayment meter set up coverage
Prepayment meters are pay-as-you-go units that require top-up funds to supply gasoline and electrical energy to a house. Energy suppliers set up the meters to clients who’re in debt to keep away from them amassing larger payments.
If funds usually are not made, no energy is provided. In an effort to stop households being instantly with out energy, £30 credit score can be given below the brand new guidelines.
The top-up funds are dearer than paying payments, one thing Chancellor Jeremy Hunt mentioned would finish in July.
Official figures confirmed greater than 94,000 meters had been put in in houses in Britain all through 2022.
Ofgem will announce full particulars of the code of observe, which companies have agreed to be sure 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, mentioned: “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 mentioned.
Content Source: information.sky.com