Renfrewshire residents struggling to pay their energy bills have been forced into pre-payment meters by British Gas to manage their debt.
British Gas were revealed to have been calling in debt collectors to force-fit the meters following an investigation by The Times.
The move by the energy giant has been branded ‘predatory’ and ‘disgusting’ by Renfrewshire politicians – with many claiming residents have been in touch about pre-payment meters in their own homes.
When installed, the meters require money to be paid in to them in order to supply gas and electricity.
However, with many people struggling to pay their bills due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, this has resulted in vulnerable people being left with no lighting or heating in their homes.
SNP Paisley Northwest councillor Kenny MacLaren says he has been contacted by many constituents claiming they have been switched to a pre-payment plan “without their knowledge”.
Councillor MacLaren said: “The actions of British Gas and their debt collection agency are disgusting.
“I have had a couple of constituents complaining about switching to smart meters and then finding out that they can be switched to a pre-payment plan without anyone even entering their homes. I have advised any constituent thinking of moving to a smart meter to think again – they could find themselves on a pre-payment plan without even knowing about it.”
Centrica, the owner of British Gas, has now said it was suspending “all warrant activity” following the revelations.
Centrica chief executive officer Chris O’Shea said: “Protecting vulnerable customers is an absolute priority and we have clear processes and policies to ensure we manage customer debt carefully and safely. The allegations around our third-party contractor Arvato are unacceptable and we immediately suspended their warrant activity.”
The process of installing these meters has also been stopped by the firm – with energy regulator Ofgem also leading an investigation into British Gas as they brand the practice “unacceptable”.
Conservative MSP for West Scotland Russell Findlay said the actions were “exremely worrying”, adding: “Rising energy bills are understandably causing concern for people across Renfrewshire. Such conduct is inappropriate.”
Labour councillor Ben Smith added: “I find it utterly disgusting that debt agents working on behalf of British Gas have been breaking into the homes of people who are in desperate financial circumstances to install smart meters.
“The usage of smart meters by some energy providers has already been nothing short of predatory, but this kind of behaviour takes it to a further, criminal level.”
Ofgem rules state that, before an energy firm switches a customer’s mode of smart meter, they have to have sufficient checks and balances in place to avoid switching any vulnerable customers.
This is to ensure that the energy firms aren’t negatively affecting a person who are “significantly less able” to look out for their own interests.
Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Gavin Newlands has also called for energy firms to pause the “bullying” practise of fitting pre-payment smart meters.
He said: “I was disgusted to hear about the findings of the recent investigation by The Times into the abhorrent actions of the debt agents acting on behalf of British Gas.
“The bullying of vulnerable individuals by enforcing prepaid meters should never be allowed, it is an abuse of power.
“I am aware that Eon, EDF, Ovo, Scottish Power and British Gas have now paused the practice of fitting pre-payment meters, I call on all energy supplies to do the same.”
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