When I was a kid, we had a gas meter in the house, into which we had to put a shilling or two (maybe half a crown) in order to get the gas to flow – – is this any different??
 

2 hours ago, xylophone said:

When I was a kid, we had a gas meter in the house, into which we had to put a shilling or two (maybe half a crown) in order to get the gas to flow – – is this any different??
 

Similar concept except these are digital, higher rated tarriff and no credit no gas !  Basically you cannot have unless its prepaid at a high rate.Not a good situation for families with young children or the elderly.

 

More reporting on this from The Times:

 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bb48124e-a22d-11ed-be83-0b182bac2124?shareToken=f98cba3d7471e1c8c30226586405dd38

On 2/3/2023 at 8:28 PM, Chomper Higgot said:

More reporting on this from The Times:

 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bb48124e-a22d-11ed-be83-0b182bac2124?shareToken=f98cba3d7471e1c8c30226586405dd38

 

That's worrying and an utter disgrace, it beggars belief that it takes a newspaper story for the Government to act.
I read another story earlier where magistrates were issuing thousands of enforcement warrants electronically without checking the status of those affected, claiming such checks are "are now disproportionate and go far beyond the legal requirements".
I do understand that energy companies have to protect their excessive profits though.

This has been going on for at least 20 years, probably longer, but I know of it happening in 2001. When they fit the prepay, as well as the higher rate, they can also set it to deduct a proportion to go towards the debt. So you put £20 on the key and it automatically took £5 towards the arrears. Even if you stop using the gas, the (higher rate) daily standing charge keeps getting added on, so the debt increases faster than you can ever pay it off. It's legal loan sharking.