Energy firms face looming deadline to reveal how many customers they have forced onto prepayment meters
Ofgem has ordered energy companies to stop the forced installation of the meters, but sources close to Grant Shapps say he’s concerned about a blanket banBy.companies on Thursday to stop the forced installation of prepayment meters and review their processes for dealing with customers who have fallen into arrears.
Downing Street has been pushing the regulator to take a tougher line and British Gas was hauled in for a meeting with the energy minister on Thursday, after an undercover reporter revealed details of how the company hires contractors to break into the homes of vulnerable customers and install the meters.iBut he has shied away from proposing legislation on the issue.
On Twitter, Mr Shapps said: “EDF have now confirmed they have suspended the outrageous practice of forced installation of prepayment meters following the investigation into British Gas.Companies have been told that by the end of next week they must supply statistics on how many warrants they have taken out to install meters in customers’ homes. Any firms seen to have relied on the warrants disproportionately will be named and shamed.
Any found to have illegally forced vulnerable customers to have meters should face criminal proceedings, & if any vulnerable customers have died due in part to this, very serious charges should be brought. No reason why corporate manslaughter laws should not be extended to cover
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ofgem orders energy firms to stop the forced installation of prepayment metersAn investigation by i found courts are rubber-stamping hundreds of warrants allowing firms' debt agents to forcibly enter homes to fit the meters in just minutes, with magistrates warning they have 'no choice' but to grant them olyduff deankirby_ I'm curious about some of the terminology I've heard regarding this story. Have Ofgem 'asked', or 'ordered' the energy firms to stop?
Source: i newspaper - 🏆 8. / 89 Read more »
At last, Ofgem wakes from hibernation and tackles energy firms over prepayment metersAfter hibernating through most of winter, energy watchdog Ofgem has finally awoken – and told gas and electricity firms to stop breaking into homes to forcibly install expensive prepayment meters ✒️ olyduff olyduff Credit to investigations correspondent deankirby_, who broke the story two months ago ✒️ The practice of forcing entry has been paused, not abolished, but that will still be a comfort to people who feared a knock on the door - olyduff olyduff If only they were charged for breaking and entering, as that’s a charge in itself. olyduff Amazing what the media spot light can do to a deaf utility company!
Source: i newspaper - 🏆 8. / 89 Read more »
Ofgem tells suppliers to suspend the forced installation of prepayment meters, Sky News understandsThe move comes as an investigation revealed debt collectors working for British Gas forced their way into the homes of vulnerable customers. Nothing like a regulator on top of its game!! Disgusting to hear this news BritishGas. Forced entry into vulnerable peoples homes and fixing pre paid meters! How low will you go? Won’t this just mean people will get into more and more debt with the normal meters?
Source: SkyNews - 🏆 35. / 67 Read more »
Ofgem tells suppliers to suspend forced installation of prepayment meters, Sky News understandsThe move comes as an investigation revealed debt collectors working for British Gas forced their way into the homes of vulnerable customers. Strange that they don’t manage to find their way into vulnerable customers who have been waiting for over two months with repeated cancellations to repair 🆙a condemned boiler then 🤷♀️ Get rid of them all and nationalise it all back. Disgusting and the government won't do jack when you think about are you surprised they are causing people to go into debt so make people pay more with prepayment to make more money
Source: SkyNews - 🏆 35. / 67 Read more »
Shapps tells British Steel owner redundancy plans are 'unhelpful'The business secretary has told the CEO of Jingye Group, British Steel's Chinese owner, that proposals for 800 job cuts risk complicating the discussions over a £300m taxpayer funding package, Sky News learns. This is how today's professional politicians speak. They r coached & their wording is purposeful. Unhelpful' doesn't fit; but it leaves the speaker, in this case Shapps, an out. Does unhelpful mean awful, bad, wrong? Unhelpful for who? In this context, what does it actually mean? If that doesn't make them change their minds then nothing will. Levelling up
Source: SkyNews - 🏆 35. / 67 Read more »
British Gas suspends force-fitting prepayment meters as 'unacceptable' allegations emergeBusiness Secretary Grant Shapps says he is 'horrified' by the findings and said the energy minister would hold a meeting with British Gas 'in the coming days'. Capitalism Should have done that a long rime ago. Nasty company
Source: SkyNews - 🏆 35. / 67 Read more »