Citizens Advice call for ban on forced switch to prepaid meters as millions ran out of credit last year

Citizens Advice has called for a ban on energy companies being able to force customers onto prepaid meters if they are struggling with energy bills.  This comes as the charity estimates that around 600,000 people were moved onto a pay-as-you-go method of paying bills last year.

The charity also revealed that 3.2 million people in the UK ran out of credit on prepaid meters last year. This equates to a staggering statistics of one every 10 seconds.

Prepaid meters work by topping up a card with money for credit. This can be done at locations such as shops and post offices. This is far more expensive than paying via direct debit, but is often the only option for customers struggling to pay back the energy company.

Some customers have the meters installed for them. Others have already existing smart metres automatically switched to prepaid mode.

Chief executive of Citizens Advice Dame Clare Moriarty said "The staggering rise in the cost of living means many simply cannot afford to heat and power their homes to safe levels.

"New protections are needed to stop people being fully cut off from gas and electricity. Until then, there must be a total ban on energy companies forcing those already at breaking point onto prepayment meters."

Dame Clare Moriarty added: "All too often the people finding it hardest to pay their bills are being forced onto a prepayment meter they can’t afford to top up. This puts them at real risk of being left in cold, damp and dark homes. The staggering rise in the cost of living means many simply cannot afford to heat and power their homes to safe levels.

"New protections are needed to stop people being fully cut off from gas and electricity. Until then, there must be a total ban on energy companies forcing those already at breaking point onto prepayment metres. If Ofgem doesn’t act, the Government must intervene."

"The staggering rise in the cost of living means many simply cannot afford to heat and power their homes to safe levels.

"New protections are needed to stop people being fully cut off from gas and electricity. Until then, there must be a total ban on energy companies forcing those already at breaking point onto prepayment metres."