Callsto remove meters

A Paisley councillor has backed calls for the removal of prepayment meters from homes.

Councillor Kenny MacLaren has lent his support to Age UK’s campaign calling for an amnesty on the electricity and gas meters, saying “too many vulnerable customers are being ripped off ”.

The issue of prepayment meters is in the spotlight after it emerged last month that debt agents acting for British Gas had broken into vulnerable people’s homes to force-fit meters.

It prompted the regulator, Ofgem, to ask suppliers to suspend forced installations.

Christopher Brooks, head of policy at Age UK, the charity for older people, said: “We think everyone should be given the option to switch because prepayment meters have a higher cost attached to them. It is often unfairly penalising some of the poorest people in our society and forcing them to pay higher costs for their energy.”

Paisley Northwest councillor Kenny MacLaren added: “This campaign should be supported by everyone, at the same time as energy companies are breaking down people’s doors to force them onto a prepayment meter, those companies are recording excessive record profits – it is nothing short of a scandal.

“Any company found guilty of forcibly installing such meters should be made to pay compensation to each and every customer affected.

“Age UK are right to call for a social tariff for those on low incomes, it is barbaric that anyone in Scotland (or even the UK) can be in fuel poverty when you consider the energy riches that Scotland has.”