Charity welcomes 'strong move' by Ofgem on prepayment meters

AN announcement from energy regulator Ofgem regarding people being forcibly switched to prepayment meters has been welcomed by a disability charity.

The organisation announced earlier today (Monday, January 23) that it would investigate energy suppliers using the practice while warning that legal action may ensue against those providers it deems are not taking care of vulnerable customers who may be left without enough money to heat or light their homes.

Ofgem have also floated the option of introducing social tariffs to combat energy price hikes. Under this scheme lower cost energy deals would be offered to some groups of people on lower incomes.

Disability equality charity Scope have welcomed the announcement from the regulator.

Tom Marsland, Scope's Policy Manager, said: “Today’s announcement from Ofgem is a strong move on ending forced installations of pre-payment meters, and the need for a social tariff in energy.

“We fully back calls to end forcing disabled people onto prepayment meters.

“For over a year, we have been regularly hearing from disabled people who have been forcibly moved on to pre-payment meters because they could not afford the rising costs of energy. But PPMs are not the answer for disabled people who are freezing in their homes, or parents who are going hungry to feed their children.

“The government must now ban energy companies from forcibly putting customers on to prepayment meters, which is cutting off lifesaving heating and electricity for disabled customers.

“The government must also act now and work alongside Ofgem, charities and energy suppliers to set up a social tariff as an urgent priority.”