Campaigning MP slams ‘unchecked, systemic PPM abuses’
Published 2 February 2023
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Allegations that prepayment meters (PPMs) were forcibly installed in vulnerable British Gas customers’ homes reflect “unchecked, systemic abuses” across the energy sector, according to an MP who has campaigned against what he has described as a “shameful practice”.
An undercover investigation by The Times into Arvato Financial Solutions, the company Centrica uses to pursue debts, claimed it had forcefully installed PPMs during recent weeks in the homes of a number of vulnerable British Gas customers, including a mother whose daughter is disabled and has a hoist and an electric wheelchair.
Dan Carden, the Labour MP who recently tabled an early day motion in the Commons raising concerns about involuntarily installation of PPMs, slammed the practices uncovered by ‘The Times’ investigation.
He told Utility Week: “The latest revelations about vulnerable people being targeted by debt agents show that the shameful practice of forced prepayment meter installations is being used with complete disregard for families’ personal circumstances.
“Locally, I have heard about vulnerable people being threatened with forced entry into their homes and disabled people being forced onto prepayment meters despite being unable to get to a shop to top-up their account.
“These are not isolated incidents, but a reflection of unchecked, systemic abuses in the energy sector.”
Referring to feedback he had received from major energy companies following his call to end forced PPM installations, including remote switching, Carden said: “Responses varied widely from company to company, which means an unfair lottery will decide whether households fall victim to this shameful practice.
“With mixed responses from energy suppliers and a toothless regulator, the government has a duty to step in and end this scandal. Alongside campaign groups and cross-party colleagues, I am calling for an immediate ban.”
Following this morning’s report, business and energy secretary Grant Shapps said he was “horrified” by the newspaper’s findings and Ofgem has launched an investigation into the matter.
Energy minister Graham Stuart said the revelations were “disgraceful”.
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