2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:29 pm on 31 January 2023.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:29, 31 January 2023

Thank you, and I quite agree with you. This is a very important issue, and obviously the Minister for Social Justice, as you said, has shown real leadership in relation to this. I mentioned in an earlier answer that she met with Ofgem just yesterday—I think you've met them several times before—as well as with energy suppliers, to really express her grave concerns surrounding the large volume of court warrants that have been issued from magistrates' courts. The Minister also wrote to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy expressing these concerns. There's a real safety and a social justice risk here to vulnerable households, including those with medical conditions. They're being forced onto prepayment meters against their will, or even their knowledge. The system is currently failing vulnerable people in our society, and I know the Minister has absolutely urged the UK Government to end the abhorrent practice of forced installation of prepayment meters, and strengthen the rules and obligations of suppliers to ensure they support rather than punish their customers. At the Ofgem meeting yesterday, the Minister really questioned whether they have the sufficient powers and interventions to safeguard our householders here in Wales and whether the regulations do go far enough to protect households. I understand Ofgem are proposing to formally review the policy around prepayment meters later this year and will have discussions with consumer groups and industry on proposed amendments. Obviously, the Minister and her officials will continue to engage with them.