Dear Grant,

RE: Involuntary PPM – Supplier Code of Practice

I write on behalf of my constituents in Feltham and Heston regarding the new Ofgem guidance on involuntary prepayment meter installation, published yesterday.

While I welcome the new commitment to ending forced prepayment installation in those households which require a continuous supply of electricity for health reasons, households with an occupant over 85, and households with an occupant suffering from terminal health conditions, it is shocking that this was not extended to ‘medium risk’ households.

‘Medium risk’ explicitly includes occupants with the youngest children, over 75, various severe medical conditions like Parkinson’s, Osteoporosis or Alzheimer’s, pregnant women and the recently bereaved. It would be the bare minimum for these to be included in any ban – they are among the most vulnerable in our society, whom you previously promised to protect from forced installation.

It is clear that this cannot just be a matter for Ofgem and the energy companies to decide. Will you therefore toughen the rules?

Yours faithfully,

Seema Malhotra

Member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston