Stephen Morgan MP today backed Labour’s call for an immediate moratorium for the duration of winter on the forced installation of prepayment meters, which has left millions of people without power.
The city MP made the call following research by Citizens Advice which found that 3.2 million people across Great Britain ran out of credit on their prepayment meter last year because they couldn’t afford to top up.
A recent investigation by I News also revealed that Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court is granting up to 13,000 warrants a month – the highest of any court in the country – allowing debt agents acting on behalf of energy firms to force entry into properties and forcing the installation of prepayment meters.
The cases are from across the country, including 200 miles away in the East Midlands, with firms apparently able to choose which courts deal with their warrants.
Speaking up for vulnerable people in Portsmouth and across the country, Stephen Morgan MP said:
“Strong regulations are supposed to be in place to stop vulnerable people being moved onto prepayment energy meters as on these meters they can easily run out of credit and be left without power.
“It’s therefore very concerning to see that Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court is granting up to 13,000 warrants a month to allow debt agents acting on behalf of energy firms to force entry into properties.
“It’s clear the Government needs to place an immediate moratorium for the duration of the winter on the forced installation of prepayment meters while an urgent review takes place.”
Shadow Climate Secretary, Ed Miliband, also called for the Government to work with the regulator to ensure that energy companies immediately comply with a ban.
Labour has already called for an end to the injustice that people on prepayment meters have to pay more for their energy than those on direct debits. The party has called for additional government support to individual households on prepayment meters, to level the playing field on the cost of electricity and gas for households.
Labour would also cut energy bills through its plan to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030, and to deliver GB Energy, a publicly owned energy company producing cheaper, cleaner, homegrown power for the British people.
Labour’s Shadow Climate Secretary, Ed Miliband MP, said:
“It is shameful that forced installation of prepayment meters is cutting off people’s heat and power, including some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“We need immediate action to halt this scourge of blackouts by the back door. Labour is calling for a moratorium to stop even greater misery this winter, while the government, regulator and energy companies get a grip on this problem, to tackle the hardship millions are facing.
“Rishi Sunak must not blame others for what is his Government’s dereliction of duty. He is standing by while families across the country are being cut off.
“Britain’s energy bills are too high and our energy system is too weak after thirteen years of Conservative failure. Only Labour can cut bills once and for all, with our plan to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030, and to deliver GB Energy, a publicly owned energy company producing cheaper, cleaner, homegrown power for the British people.”
Mr Morgan has today written to the Business Secretary Grant Shapps backing Labour’s call and highlighting the high warrant figures in Portsmouth. He is committed to continuing to campaign on these matters to protect his constituents.
