Citizens Advice Scotland responded to the Ofgem consultation on prepayment meters.
Ofgem recently consulted on the adequacy of rules and protections for clients on prepayment meters. The CAS response in summary was:
› Vulnerability is created by circumstances and the move to a prepayment meter can create vulnerability.
› Definitions of vulnerability do not consider the outcomes of being made vulnerable i.e. the ability to adequately heat and power a home.
› Disconnection protections are inadequate for people who may be in vulnerable circumstances.
› The suspension of forced installation of PPMs should be retained permanently.
› Forced switching to PPM through a smart meter should stop.
› Existing protections need to be better enforced and more consistently applied across the sector.
› Consumers must have improved and timely communication in order to get independent advice, make an informed choice and negotiate their position.
› Suppliers who install a PPM in a breach of these rules should be required to reverse the installation and recompense consumers for any loss.