A group of more than 70 organisations has written to the Energy Security & Net Zero (ESNZ) committee urging it to investigate the recent decision to grant Scottish Power warrants to forcibly install prepayment meters (PPMs).
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition raises a number of concerns about the fact the supplier has recently successfully applied for PPM warrants after a moratorium on forced PPM installs was agreed on earlier this year, following serious concerns about supplier malpractice.
In the letter, the coalition says: “Last week Scottish Power was granted 124 warrants by Berkshire Magistrates Court to forcibly enter people’s homes to force them onto prepayment meters.
“According to media reports, the magistrate granted all 124 warrants after examining just 20 of them in detail. One of these warrants was granted against a property in Grimsby, almost 200 miles away.
“The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has very serious concerns about this decision and would like to request your help in understanding the circumstances around the warrants. We would request that you hold an emergency session of the Committee to take evidence from:
- Scottish Power
- Richburns Ltd (debt collection agency)
- His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service
- Ofgem
“This would need to take place within the next 28 days before energy firms start enforcing warrants.”
Commenting on the letter Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “Forcing homes onto prepayment meters, which can cut off in the blink of an eye if not constantly topped up, leaves potentially vulnerable customers at risk of disconnection and going without energy.
“Rather than follow this barbaric practice, we need government and industry to agree to a Help To Repay scheme which will help bring down the astronomical levels of energy debt and help households struggling with the cost of living crisis to get back on an even keel.”
Meanwhile Frazer Scott, chief executive of Energy Action Scotland, said: “People are struggling with unaffordable energy costs and spiralling debt. This has reached record levels. Some of the most vulnerable in society have not seen the right levels of support to ensure that their health and wellbeing is protected.
“The forced movement of people from credit to prepayment places an unacceptable level of risk to the lives of people. Government, regulator, suppliers and our courts are failing to provide meaningful protection.
“We are dismayed that action has been taken by suppliers and the courts ahead of the introduction of changes to regulations which should ensure that no vulnerable person has to endure being subject to a forced installation.”
Following major allegations against British Gas over its warrant activity, suppliers agreed to stop forced installs, with the senior presiding judge of England and Wales later ordering magistrates to stop processing warrant applications made by retailers.
Since the introduction of the moratorium, Ofgem has been strengthening protections for PPM customers and has since introduced a mandatory code of practice for suppliers.
Although Scottish Power has now been granted warrants, Utility Week understands that the supplier has committed to not restart any involuntary installations until it meets Ofgem’s conditions.
Commenting on the news that it had been granted the warrants, a Scottish Power spokesperson previously said: “We are only applying for warrants for customers who have refused to engage with us on repayment after multiple attempts, to agree a repayment arrangement that is affordable to their circumstances.
“At every point in the process, we are ensuring that vulnerability and affordability checks are made, in order to support customers with the debt management advice they need.
“The cost of unpaid bills ultimately falls on all customers and the use of warrants to recover debt is a last resort when all other avenues have been exhausted.
“We are committed to adhering to the strict new conditions the regulator has put in place and we will continue to work considerately with customers to help them manage their debt.”