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A council in London has halted the forced installation of prepayment meters after outrage from residents concerned they would be cut off from energy supplies this winter.
Residents of Hathersage Court in north London had expressed “shock” after learning this month they would be moved on to prepayment tariffs as part of a nationwide drive to enable people using communal heating systems to pay for their personal energy usage.
Residents of the block, which has 69 flats, had complained that their energy costs could rise sharply after the meters were switched on, which was due to take place on 23 January.
Households on prepayment meters typically pay more for their energy – a particular concern as high wholesale gas prices have pushed up bills.
Residents believed they would be billed monthly via the meters but would have instead had to pay for gas and electricity in advance, raising the prospect of being cut off if their funds ran low. Around half of the meters had been installed.
However, after being contacted by the Guardian, Islington council apologised and paused the scheme while options are discussed with residents. The council told residents that the pause would “provide an opportunity to discuss the different billing options available”.
The move comes against the backdrop of growing concern over the increasing use of prepayment meters, with households regularly left without power, unable to top up.
