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<p>Ofgem closely monitors domestic energy suppliers’ performance and publishes information
in relation to debt owed by domestic electricity and gas accounts holders in Great
Britain. In 2013, latest data available, a total of 299,784 electricity prepayment
meters were installed in the year, of which 227,886 were installed to recover a debt.
A total of 293,846 gas prepayment meters were installed in the year, of which 226,999
were installed to recover a debt. Ofgem’s data does not to show how many prepayment
meters were installed without the authority of the account holder (under a warrant)
or differentiate between installations in England, Scotland and Wales.</p><p>The installation
of prepayment meter is a valuable alternative to the disconnection of supply for debt.
The need to apply to the courts for a warrant to enter a consumer’s home to install
a prepayment meter should be an action of last resort after all attempts to communicate
with the consumer have failed. Courts will require supply companies to provide details
of the communication path followed as part of the warrant application process.</p>
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