Energy company bosses are set to be grilled by the Senedd’s Petitions Committee seeking answers on forced pre-payment meters.
In February, a series of investigations exposed the practice of energy companies using debt collection agencies to forcibly install pre-payment meters in households which had fallen behind on direct debit payments.
This meant thousands of elderly and vulnerable people were forced to pay for energy before using it, leading many to be unable to heat their homes through the winter.
In response to this, Climate Cymru and other campaigners launched a petition on the Senedd website calling for an investigation into the practices of energy companies.
The Petitions Committee will now be questioning energy executives on whether vulnerable people are now safe from being forcibly switched to meters and whether the practice should be banned completely.
The Welsh Government’s figures show that around 200,000 households in Wales are on pre-payment meters including 45% of social housing tenants.
Controversially, pre-payment meters are more expensive than direct debits with standing charges for both electricity and gas higher, and the price per unit for gas also dearer.
Jack Sargeant MP, Chair of the Petitions Committee, said: “I have heard harrowing stories from constituents who are being forced to use prepayment meters, against their will. We know thousands across Wales have endured freezing temperatures all winter, as they couldn’t afford to turn on the heat.
“The behaviour of energy companies was deeply disturbing and despite their recent promises to change the way they operate the Committee will be determined to seek answers on why they ever thought their actions were acceptable.
“No one should be put in a position where they’re scared to put the heating on and despite the companies’ changing their ways of working, we want to be certain that vulnerable people won’t be facing the same issues next year.”
The Petitions Committee evidence session begins at 2pm, Monday 15th May, and will be available to watch on www.senedd.tv
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