Firms face looming deadline to reveal how many customers they've forced onto prepayment meters

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

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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?
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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!
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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
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