In 2022 and 2023, energy companies including British Gas, Scottish Power and OVO Energy were caught forcing pre-payment meters into the homes of vulnerable families. The then-Conservative government paused the practice amid public outcry.
Further media investigations revealed that magistrates are continuing to approve batches of warrants for forced entry into people’s homes, based on written evidence they have never seen, at private hearings the public knows nothing about. In one documented session, a debt agent dialled in by phone and named more than a hundred properties.
Following complaints, including from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, the senior judiciary has reviewed the process and raised no concerns. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has told the Press Association that it regards the process as “standard procedure.”
A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said:
“The forced PPM scandal sent shockwaves through the energy industry, and – more than three years on – the fallout has still not ended.
“Ofgem has yet to conclude its long-running investigation into British Gas’ behaviour, and court cases involving vulnerable energy customers are still being heard behind closed doors and decided in bulk.
“If the Chief Magistrate and Ministers do not see a problem with this, then it is time for Parliament to act.
“The forthcoming Energy Independence Bill, expected in the King’s Speech, must include provisions that significantly reform the court processes introduced in the 1950s or enable Ministers to remove the threat of forced prepayment meters for households unable to pay their energy bills.
“Households in energy debt are not there through choice, they are struggling because of five years of sky high energy costs and an oil and gas industry generating extraordinary profits that ultimately end up on people’s bills.”