Prepayment meter protections: discussion paper
- Publication type:
- Call for input
- Publication date:
- Closing date:
- 23 December 2026
- Status:
- Open
- Topic:
- Metering
- Subtopic:
- Prepayment meters
We are seeking views on the rules energy suppliers must follow when installing prepayment meters to recover debt without a customer’s agreement.
Call for input description
We are beginning a discussion about the rules energy suppliers must follow when they install a prepayment meter to recover debt without a customer's agreement. These rules were strengthened in 2023 to protect people who could be at greatest risk of harm.
This paper explains what we have learned about how the rules work in practice and the issues we want to explore. We want to make sure strong protections remain in place for people who need them, while allowing suppliers to prevent and recover debt in a fair and proportionate way.
No decisions have been made. The evidence and views we receive will help us develop detailed policy options for consultation.
We welcome views and evidence on:
- which consumers should be protected from involuntary prepayment meter installation
- how suppliers should assess whether a customer can afford to pay
- which steps suppliers should follow before installing a prepayment meter
- how suppliers can verify customers' circumstances sensitively and proportionately
- whether the rules should align more closely with voluntary prepayment meter installations and Additional Support Credit
Who should respond
We would like to hear from:
- consumers
- consumer groups and charities
- energy suppliers
- industry bodies
- debt advice organisations
- anyone with experience of prepayment meters, energy debt or vulnerability
How to respond
Send your response to ConsumerVulnerability@ofgem.gov.uk by 23 December 2026.