At the Public Accounts Committee meeting on the regulation of energy suppliers, Louie flagged the issue of the reduction in places prepayment meter customers can top up their meter keys or cards, as well as how these customers can receive the Government’s £400 energy bill rebate.
In the meeting, Louie asked the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Ofgem the below question:
“I appreciate what you are saying around working through how you help that 1% of potentially more vulnerable customers who are being left out from the scheme. I think that most people would overwhelmingly support that. You mentioned vouchers. In my area, in Old Bexley and Sidcup, I am aware of a number of blocks of flats that use prepayment meters. I am aware that a number of shops have stopped selling the fob that they take the key for. How are we going to reach these people with vouchers? Will it be through the local council? What is the thinking of the Department at the moment?”
“I would like to flag that point about the reduction in places where people can top up. That is a particular issue, like I said, in my constituency. I am sure that, across a number of constituencies, that lack of places to do it is a particular problem.”
More widely, Louie also raised the important issue of customers paying a fair price for their energy, the resilience and security of the energy market and the transition to low carbon energy. Louie will continue to monitor the issue of support for prepayment meter and vulnerable customers.
You can watch the full meeting here and read the transcript from the meeting here.
