The energy regulator has announced a proposal to make new rules brought in to protect struggling prepayment meter customers a compulsory part of suppliers’ licence conditions.
The voluntary code of practice agreed in April bans forcibly installing prepayment meters (PPM) in the homes of people over the age of 85 and gives extra protections to vulnerable households.
All household energy suppliers signed up to the code but the regulator for Great Britain, Ofgem, said it wanted to make the voluntary arrangements “binding”.
It has also proposed that suppliers get compensated for a type of credit offered to the most vulnerable PPM customers.
Neil Kenward, the director for strategy for Ofgem, said: “We are committed to ensuring robust protections are in place for vulnerable customers.
“The voluntary code of practice for prepayment meters enhanced protections, setting clear rules for when a prepayment meter is or isn’t acceptable, as well as new requirements around the installation of prepayment meters.
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“We are now seeking to make these voluntary arrangements binding, and we welcome all views on this statutory consultation.”
