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BBC News
3 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
'My credit score has been destroyed by fake energy debt'
A woman who had a prepayment meter forcibly installed in her home over a debt she did not owe says her credit score is still ruined years Asante – a church pastor – spent years battling with Scottish Power over a non-existent debt before the company apologised and wiped the remaining balance last Favour says her credit score is still ruined due to the false debt and she remains unable to get a credit card or take out a phone Power said it had removed the credit markers against Favour's record last year but she is concerned her score could take years to recover. The energy firm said: "We've shared with credit reference agencies that she has a prepayment meter with a zero balance, which should have a positive impact on her credit score."The error began when Scottish Power wrongly believed she owed them more than £2,000, which eventually led to the firm forcibly installing a prepayment meter into her Glasgow home in late 2022, while she was out of the country visiting was later discovered that the false debt had arisen because Scottish Power had wrongly opened and closed multiple accounts in her name. The company has since recognised the mistakes, apologised and wiped the Favour said she remains unable to take out a loan, phone contract or get a credit card because of the default on her account. It comes as thousands of energy customers are set to receive payouts, and could see debts written off, in response to widespread controversy over the force-fitting of prepayment meters into people's announcement last month followed a review by the energy regulator Ofgem, and could see eligible customers receiving payments starting at £40 and rising up to £1, years, energy companies were allowed to force-fit prepayment meters into people's homes when bills went unpaid but a scandal erupted during the energy cost crisis of 2022 when suppliers were found to have forced the meters on vulnerable intense criticism, Ofgem introduced a moratorium on forced installations in 2023 but allowed companies to restart the practice less than a year later – albeit with stricter rules in place to protect vulnerable customers who have been affected by the practice of force-fitting prepayment meters over the years have told BBC Scotland News that the compensation payments do not compare with how heavily their lives were impacted. Favour told the BBC: "It's really affected me emotionally, financially, and it's also ruined my credit score because a bill that wasn't mine was forced into my name and given to the credit agencies."For the last six years I have been on the list for not getting any credit from anywhere due to that."My credit score has been ruined, I can't apply for anything at the moment. What I've been through compared with £1,000 is not enough."Favour said she no longer trusts energy companies after the ordeal. 'No compassion' The review from Ofgem into this practice had an assessment period of 1 January 2022 to 31 January 2023, meaning Favour could be eligible for compensation. But many other customers may not has epilepsy and asthma and says that a long-running disagreement with her energy company at the time had a severe impact on her 34-year-old nursing student told the BBC she was so distressed by having a prepayment meter forcibly installed into her home that she had multiple seizures which resulted in who lived in a one-bedroom council flat in Fife at the time, says her then-energy supplier Npower increased her monthly bills from £60 a month in 2014 to about £200 - and said she had a debt of about £1, disputed this which led to a row that would continue for another three claims that a wiring issue with her storage heating meant that it was turning on when it shouldn't have been, including when she was at work. When she called Npower to ask them to assess the issue the company was "really forceful and harassing" and "threatening with bailiffs"."They had no compassion or consideration that there was clearly a huge issue for a one-bedroom flat," she said several appointments were made for the firm to visit and investigate an issue with the heating, but nobody showed up. 'It was torture' Then, in 2017, she returned home from work to find that her flat had been broken into and a prepayment meter installed."They couldn't attend to check my meter but they could attend to force entry into my house," she said."I was having a lot of seizures at the time because of the stress. It really freaked me out and made me feel so unsafe."Energy firm has since acquired Npower and Rebekah says that her debt was finally written off in December 2024 after she applied for a winter heating scheme for vulnerable she believes that even if she were to receive compensation, it would not be enough."It was a constant battle," she said."I had to miss work countless times due to the seizures. I'd end up with horrific injuries."And yes, my debt has now been wiped off and I'm grateful for that, but the stress of it was torture."An Next spokesperson said: "While this case predates our acquisition of Npower and Rebekah was not an customer at the time, we are pleased that we have since been able to offer direct support and resolve the issue for her." Organisations such as Citizens Advice Scotland have long-opposed the practice of forced installations even prior to it catching headlines in 2022, and raised particular concerns around safeguards in place for vulnerable a 62-year-old cleaner from Hamilton, told the BBC she remains affected to this day by having a prepayment meter forced into her home in 2015."I was a single mother, working-part time on minimum wage, and came in from work one day right before Christmas to see an envelope with new keys in it," she said. "They'd broken in and put a prepayment meter in."Susan said she had fallen into debt of about £3,500 with energy provider EDF after struggling with the death of her father alongside having a disability and mental health issues."I know it was my fault for racking up the debt and I buried my head in the sand, but they never gave me the option to pay it off in instalments at all and I didn't know they'd break in when I wasn't there," she said."It was so upsetting because I couldn't talk to anybody about it and I was embarrassed about the debt. I didn't want my family to know."Susan thinks there are not enough protections in place to support vulnerable customers who find themselves in debt, and says she would have agreed to a repayment plan if she had been made aware it was an said: "If they'd have told me they were coming, I would have arranged to take time off work so that at least there wouldn't be people in my house when I wasn't there."I'm not vulnerable now like I was then, I am doing much better, but there were not measures in place to protect vulnerable people."It was just awful. They could see that a kid lived here, that it was Christmas. What a time of year to do that to somebody."Susan said because prepayment meters are generally more expensive than other payment methods, her bills are a "fortune" and she is still paying off the debt to this has been approached for comment. Distressing cases As of 2024, Ofgem has introduced rules which means companies cannot force-fit meters if an occupant of the house is over 75 with no other support, is under two years old, needs energy for health reasons, or suffers from a chronic or terminal Vyas, chief executive of Energy UK, which represents energy firms, said suppliers had been working closely with Ofgem to meet the regulator's requirements, but said there were instances where forced fittings were Advice Scotland director of impact David Hilferty said the compensation scheme is welcome said: "We have always opposed forced installations as they take away people's choice, pushing them to pay money upfront which they often can't afford."Our network has seen many distressing cases over the years of people who have been forced to disconnect their heating supply or go into debt as a result of this, so it's right that they should be compensated."What's important now is that suppliers deliver this compensation quickly and do the right thing for those who have experienced unnecessary harm."
Telegraph
9 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Bill for switching off wind farms hits £500m
Payments related to switching off wind farms in 2025 so far are equivalent to £3.3m a day – or £136,000 per hour. A row is growing in the energy industry over how to tackle the issue, with the Government currently looking at options to reform the market. One idea being considered is a break-up of the existing national market into different regions, or zones, that would see each part of the country pay a different price for electricity based on local supply and demand. This would mean the amount paid to wind farms in Scotland when there is too much power being generated would fall dramatically. It would also probably result in higher energy prices for households in London, southern England and the Midlands, given that these are areas where renewables are in short supply. Wind farms that were curtailed on Tuesday included the Seagreen offshore wind farm in the North Sea – the largest of its kind in Scotland – which was switched off for nearly three quarters of the time it was meant to operate last year. Investment fears Wind farm developers Scottish Power and SSE have argued that reforming the market will make it far harder to predict future revenues and could create huge uncertainty – potentially holding up major investment decisions on new schemes. This would also put the Government at risk of missing its 2030 clean power target, which requires huge amounts of generation capacity to be installed in the next five years. On Wednesday, a Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: 'The National Energy System Operator's independent report shows we can achieve clean power by 2030 with cheaper electricity, even factoring in constraint payments. 'Through our clean power action plan, we will work with industry to rewire Britain, upgrade our outdated infrastructure to get renewable electricity on the grid and minimise constraint payments.' A spokesman for Neso, which manages the electricity grid, said: 'Neso takes its role to deliver a safe, secure and reliable national electricity network at least cost to consumers, extremely seriously. 'We are constantly looking for new ways to reduce costs associated with balancing electricity supply and demand on a second-by-second basis, as these costs are passed on to consumers in their electricity bill.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
The 600,000 homeowners told their hot water could stop working - unless they switch to a smart meter
Evelyn Francis is so petrified at warnings from her energy supplier that her hot water and heating could be cut off unless she gets a new smart meter, she has been having panic attacks and has even contacted her local doctor for help. The 75-year-old former magistrates' court official, who lives with her blind sister Angela Seve in Eastbourne, East Sussex, has been receiving letters and calls from Scottish Power for several months warning that her electricity supply could be cut off at the end of June. Evelyn says: 'I feel I have been hounded by my supplier Scottish Power over the past few months demanding I switch my old meter. 'There has been no intelligent explanation – just bullying scare tactics where they treat me like an imbecile simply demanding that it must be done. 'It has caused me severe headaches, sleepless nights and real anxiety. I went to my local doctor for medication, but he told me the best medicine was not to allow the constant pestering to get to me. 'He even offered to write a letter explaining my condition to stop them bothering me.' Evelyn is one of more than half a million households being warned their heating and electricity could be cut off unless they switch to a new smart meter. The affected households are those that currently have meters controlled by Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) technology, which may no longer work after the signal is stopped on June 30. Of the up to 600,000 homes using RTS meters, most are on Economy 7 tariffs which allows them to switch charge rates between peak and cheaper off-peak tariffs. It is also used for customers on Economy 10 and Total Heating Total Control. Many have benefited from lower energy bills for years thanks to Economy 7. It has been around since 1978 and is ideal for households able to use appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, at night when they are charged at the lower off-peak rate. It also benefits those with night storage heaters. Economy 7 customers typically pay half the price for electricity compared to those on a standard deal between midnight and 7am. But the day rate can be a third higher than a standard tariff, says GoCompare. Evelyn surrendered to the demands last month and agreed to have a smart meter fitted, following the consultation with her doctor. Suppliers will not promise that affected customers will be able to keep their old tariff when they are moved to a smart meter. Retired policeman Paul Bryant, 77, from Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, who has been told he must switch to a smart meter, says: 'Suppliers are bullies with phrases such as 'you could lose heating and hot water services' if you fail to switch to a smart meter. British Gas has bombarded us with the message that we have no alternative – but I refuse to be blackmailed into doing something totally against my will.' Paul, who is married to Liz, 75, adds: 'I want to keep control and save money by choosing when to take advantage of cheaper tariff rates. 'Is that asking too much? Smart meters take matters out of our hands so energy giants can do whatever they want with prices.' Some households are also concerned that the switch away from RTS is forcing them to accept a smart meter, when they would prefer not to have one. Suppliers are keen to switch people to smart meters because they have Government targets they must reach to avoid hefty fines. Smart meters can also save suppliers money, as they automatically send meter readings via a mobile phone-like signal in real time without a need to send someone out to read the meter. But one in ten smart meters does not work properly, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Alan Beverley, 51, of Lincolnshire, says: 'Prices are being hiked by stealth. The energy companies win both ways – forcing us on to smart meters by stopping older RTS meters working. After this it is only a matter of time before they take away discounted Economy 7 tariff rates.' John Dobson, 59, of Swindon, Wiltshire, is furious at the constant messages from his supplier Ovo Energy telling him he must make the switch. The retired IT worker, married to Luce, 54, says: 'This is just the latest sneaky trick adopted to convince us to accept the flawed technology. Until companies can prove the meters never go wrong, I will refuse to sign up.' He adds: 'Economy 7 lowers bills for people who have gone to the expense of having storage heaters installed years ago. It will cost us hundreds of pounds if we lose the special night tariff deal, with storage heaters we have installed becoming an obsolete waste of money.' Some industry experts believe the rushed switch is unnecessary and the deadline should be scrapped. Wireless technology expert Nick Hunn, of WiFore Consulting, says: 'These suppliers should not force you to have a new meter against your will with unnecessary threats designed to panic customers into the move. I wish the rollout was done properly rather than customers being constantly ordered to switch.' When Money Mail contacted energy watchdog Ofgem, the regulator said there was no need for customers to panic – households 'will be protected' from simply being cut off while any changes are rolled out. The regulator says it is not simply 'flicking a switch' – but that any change could take months or even years. The end of June only marks the start of the process. A spokesman said: 'We want energy suppliers to treat customers fairly. We have demanded action plans from every supplier and are scrutinising them to ensure robust contingencies are in place to protect customers who remain on RTS meters following the phased switch-off.' The BBC delivers the RTS signal from a transmitter in Droitwich, Worcestershire. It says: 'We do not own the RTS, we simply deliver the signal using our transmitter on behalf of the Energy Networks Association (ENA).' An Energy UK spokesman says: 'Given June 30 is fast-approaching, the industry is working closely with the Government and regulator on a carefully managed phase-out process to avoid disruption to any remaining customers, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances.' If you're unsure whether your home uses RTS, look for a switch box with a label that says 'Radio Teleswitch' beside your meters. A spokesman for British Gas says: 'It is an industry initiative involving all electricity providers, Ofgem and Energy UK. The electricity supply to any customer who has an RTS meter will not be switched off.' Scottish Power was contacted for comment.
STV News
2 days ago
- Climate
- STV News
City centre road closed after sinkhole discovered
A busy road in Glasgow city centre has been closed after a sinkhole was discovered. Workers are carrying out an emergency sewer repair on St Vincent Street raised the alarm when they noticed a void had appeared in the eastbound carriageway outside the Scottish Power building. To allow this essential work to be carried out safely, the publicly-owned utility has been closed to all eastbound traffic on St Vincent Street between Newton Street and Elmbank Street. The cause of the sinkhole is not yet known, with the affected sewer located around four metres below the surface. Scottish Water via Supplied The affected sewer is located around four metres below the surface. Scottish Water via Supplied Scottish Water is currently carrying out emergency repairs. A Scottish Water spokesperson said: 'We're working hard to investigate and fix this issue as quickly and safely as possible to help minimise disruption. 'We are also aware of upcoming events in the area, including the Lloyd's Tour of Britain Women cycle race this Sunday and the Men's 10K next weekend. We're in discussions with the organisers but both events are still expected to go ahead. 'We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding while we carry out this essential repair.' All businesses in the area are open as usual. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fears 300,000 British electricity meters will not work after tech switch-off
The adverts featuring Lorraine Kelly paint a worrying picture of people left without heating or hot water or, perhaps worse in mid-summer, their radiators on full blast. Either outcome could be possible when the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), which controls an old type of electricity meter found in almost 400,000 homes across Great Britain, is switched off from 30 June. In the ads, the Scottish TV presenter urges people to contact their supplier, with the tagline adding: 'Don't delay. The RTS switch-off is on the way'. Although 1,000 of these old meters are being ripped out every day, the daily rate would need to top 5,000 to stand a chance of reaching everyone in time. Campaigners fear that more than 300,000 homes could be left with a meter that does not work. One reader, Sarah*, who contacted the Guardian, has been trying for several months to get a new meter but was told by her supplier, ScottishPower, it did 'not have a solution' for her home set-up. Introduced in the 1980s, RTS was designed for people who also use electricity for their heating and hot water. It uses the long wave radio frequency to switch meters between peak and off-peak rates. These old-fashioned heating systems can include panel heaters or immersion heaters in water tanks that charge overnight when electricity is cheaper. Users are clustered in rural Scotland, northern England and northern Wales, as well as cities including London, Leicester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The technology is being retired because the equipment that produces the radio signal has reached the end of its operational life and can no longer be adequately maintained. The switch-off could mean households have no hot water or heating, or have it stuck on constantly, potentially running up huge bills, according to Simon Francis, the coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition. 'We need to ensure contingency measures are in place for those who do not make the deadline and require energy suppliers to ensure fair metering and billing practices,' Francis said. When Sarah bought her flat in Edinburgh she inherited a complicated RTS system that involved two meters on different tariffs – one for heating and hot water, and another for general use. 'Heating at any time is lower cost,' she said. 'This includes our heaters, hot water and electric shower, which are wired into a heat meter and specific circuit. The RTS system heats the hot water overnight. 'The email they [ScottishPower] have sent states that if there is no solution by the time of the switch-off, that my system will either be permanently on, or permanently off.' Another worry is that her tariff will no longer be available and the 'best match' will result in significantly higher bills. Experts said the RTS switch-off would not involve the actual flicking of a switch to cut the signal nationwide. While the advertised date is 30 June, the process will happen by area from 1 July through to 30 September. The latest figures showed that as of mid-April there were still 392,000 households with RTS meters. Energy UK, the trade association for the energy industry, said suppliers were focused on accelerating the rate of installations as the initial deadline loomed. 'It will undoubtedly be challenging to replace all these meters by 30 June,' said a spokesperson for Energy UK. 'It means getting access to every single property to carry out the installation, many of which are in remote areas, and ultimately it requires all customers to respond to contact from their supplier.' Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, is keeping a close eye on proceedings with suppliers required to submit fortnightly updates. It said that in recent weeks it had seen evidence of suppliers significantly 'stepping up their activity' and that solutions to improve smart meter connectivity in the north had been launched. 'We urge any customers who may have previously struggled to get their RTS meter replaced to please contact their supplier again to arrange an appointment,' a spokesperson said. 'Ofgem has also demanded action plans from every supplier, which we are scrutinising on an ongoing basis to ensure that robust contingencies are in place to protect any customers who remain on RTS meters after the phased switch-off process begins,' they added. Sarah finally secured a meter-switch appointment earlier this month only for it to be cancelled and a new date given in mid-August. ScottishPower said it had reached the halfway mark in its replacement programme and appointments were booked for more than 30% of the remaining customers with RTS meters. The switch-off presented 'some early technical challenges, including finding a suitable solution for those customers who couldn't initially be moved over to a smart meter', it said. 'We overcame these technical challenges a number of months ago and are able to offer a solution to all our customers through the installation of a smart meter. 'Customers with appointment dates past the 30 June switch-off are still within the RTS service timeframe.' * Names have been changed Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
