Ofgem puts block on forced installations of energy prepayment meters - The Times

Ofgem puts block on forced installations of energy prepayment meters

Energy suppliers have been banned from forcibly installing prepayment meters until they agree to a legally enforceable code of practice, after The Times revealed vulnerable customers were targeted.

British Gas was condemned by a senior MP for an “extraordinary” failure to create a compensation scheme for victims of improper meter replacement.

An undercover reporter from The Times found that a debt collection agency used by British Gas threatened to force their way into the homes of vulnerable customers, including a single father of three young children and a young mother with a four-week-old baby.

Executives from the regulator, energy companies and debt collection agencies were questioned during a joint meeting of the Commons justice committee and business and energy committee.

Darren Jones, chairman of