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The amount of debt racked up by prepay energy customers has hit £1 billion, new research has revealed.
Analysis from Bfy Consulting shows that over the past two years the number of prepayment meter (PPM) energy customers in debt has risen by 220,000 to 750,000 – a 40% increase.
Meanwhile average debt balances have also risen by 40%, up from £400 to £1,300. This has resulted in a 100% increase in total PPM debt (£500 million to £1 billion as of Q3 2023).
Bfy calculated that if the 220,000 customers noted above did not have a PPM installed and were allowed to continue consuming energy without paying, they would be on-track to rack up £7,500 to £10,000 in energy debts within around five years.
Suppliers, it added, would face increased bad debts of £1.7 billion to £2.2 billion over the period, raising the bills of all customers by £25 per household annually.
Further data has emerged around the impact of the PPM forced installation ban which was implemented early last year following shocking revelations concerning installs among British Gas customers.
“While the 2023 install ban was in place, the volume of accounts in debt grew by 5%, but average balances grew by 25% (£250) as total debt grew by 30% (~£250 million) in the period. Some of the debt growth will have been driven by customers seeking Additional Support Credits, as they struggled to pay for their energy and relied on support from suppliers,” Bfy said.
It added: “Rising PPM debts highlight a critical challenge in the energy sector: balancing the provision of essential services with financial sustainability.
“The installation of pre-payment meters is going to be under increased scrutiny from Ofgem, and suppliers will be expected to drive customer engagement earlier in the arrears process.”
Earlier this month a charity which provides emergency fuel vouchers for struggling households with PPMs said it had been “forced to take action” by doubling the support it provides, citing the government’s failure to provide any additional energy bill help this winter.
Fuel Bank Foundation revealed it has increased the amount of financial support it is providing, costing it an additional £2.2 million.
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