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Energy suppliers threaten higher bills for all customers after prepayment meter ban
National Grid will pay homeowners tonight to switch off radiators, ovens and washing machines between 5-6pm as energy boss hints emergency winter plan will be made permanent - so here's how you can get £20 electricity payment
National Grid will pay homeowners to use less electricity between 5pm and 6pm tonight
The National Grid said it would be activating its Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) this evening with 26 major energy suppliers such as British Gas, EDF, Eon and Octopus Energy signed up. Households could receive payments of up to £20 back if they don't use ovens, washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, games consoles or decide not to charge their cars during the peak tonight. But the scheme relies on users having a controversial smart meter, a device which automatically transmits your energy usage to your provider every 30 minutes.. There have been many complaints about the devices, ranging from them logging inaccurate readings that lead to inflated bills to stopping working altogether. It is the first time National Grid has implemented its DFS scheme since it was first announced last November, as the UK prepares for freezing temperatures this week. Craig ****, Head of National Control at National Grid ESO, suggested that the measure could become a regular part of the UK winter. He said: 'It is something we strongly believe in. It provides flexibility for the system and the consumer. We see this as a growing market. We see this as a world leading step forward into a space where we can only grow and drive forward towards Net Zero'.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11665497/National-Grid-pay-homeowners-use-electricity-5pm-6pm-tonight.html
National Grid will pay homeowners to use less electricity between 5pm and 6pm tonight
The National Grid said it would be activating its Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) this evening with 26 major energy suppliers such as British Gas, EDF, Eon and Octopus Energy signed up. Households could receive payments of up to £20 back if they don't use ovens, washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, games consoles or decide not to charge their cars during the peak tonight. But the scheme relies on users having a controversial smart meter, a device which automatically transmits your energy usage to your provider every 30 minutes.. There have been many complaints about the devices, ranging from them logging inaccurate readings that lead to inflated bills to stopping working altogether. It is the first time National Grid has implemented its DFS scheme since it was first announced last November, as the UK prepares for freezing temperatures this week. Craig ****, Head of National Control at National Grid ESO, suggested that the measure could become a regular part of the UK winter. He said: 'It is something we strongly believe in. It provides flexibility for the system and the consumer. We see this as a growing market. We see this as a world leading step forward into a space where we can only grow and drive forward towards Net Zero'.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11665497/National-Grid-pay-homeowners-use-electricity-5pm-6pm-tonight.html
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https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/britain-sends-energy-to-ireland-as-households-asked-to-switch-off/ar-AA16HmE7?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=9f0f4e2a867b4f06a6d031a236cd3a90
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/i-ve-been-given-41p-for-turning-off-my-electricity-brits-say-evening-blackouts-are-pointless/ar-AA16IO0v?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=137334d578d2493bb18392b8fd92a685
The great reset, Smart Meters, 5G, COVID, the vaccine, Lockdowns, masks, the New World Order, Bill Gates, Justin Trudeau, BlackRock, Zelensky, Prof Whitty, MSM, Mr Fauci, Biden, Ms Ardern, WEF, the bogey man, etc.,
Simply put, the people that are out to get us.
And smart meters may well be 1 of those rare times.
1. It did make sense to employ thousands of meter readers. That is, of course, why they did. And, yes technological advances meant that there were alternatives. But companies already making £billions in profit decided that precisely none of these cost savings would be passed on to their customers. It is simple to ask customers to provide these readings via app or email. Meanwhile, standing charges continue to skyrocket-why?
2. Smart boxes are being misused. Once you have a smart meter, an energy company can automatically transfer you to prepayment meters. And have done so. Tens of thousands of times. Something they never admit to when asking you to transfer to a smart meter.
https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/energy-companies-court-warrant-prepayment-meter-cost-of-living/
Can my energy supplier force me to pay for a prepayment meter?
They can only fit a prepayment meter for debt: through a court warrant to cover ongoing energy use and debt repayments. A supplier can force-fit a prepayment meter by warrant only after they have taken all reasonable steps to agree payment with you.
Check the prepayment meter rules | Ofgem
www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advic…
Do you need a warrant to install smart meters?
As energy prices surged this winter, suppliers have stepped up the use of court warrants to force their way into homes to install prepayment meters, with some magistrates approving hundreds of applications at a time. For homes with smart meters, the change can be made remotely without even needing a warrant.
Call to end forced installation of UK prepayment meters after millions s…
www.theguardian.com/money/2023/jan/11/call-to-end-for…
Smart meters give massive extra powers to energy companies, as well as giving them millions of extra profit.
Meanwhile our Energy Regulator bleats about it. And does absolutely nothing.
Firstly, whether or not you have a smart meter, you can be forced into having a prepayment meter installed.
Secondly, your argument about consumers supplying their own meter readings would be fine, assuming all customers supplied accurate readings.
This is clearly not the case.
Thirdly, there are some conditions where a prepayment meter is reasonable.
For instance as a protection for landlords, so they can avoid being left with massive bills by tenants who havent paid.
Fourthly, I grew up in the days before prepayment meters, and in those days people were connected or not, end of.
The thing that is completely illogical about prepayment meters, is that the suppliers are asking people that are already unable to pay their bills, to pay higher charges.
They are therefore saying, you cant afford the current charges, so we are going to charge you more.
Although I appreciate that this is a means of them staying connected, as well as paying off the arrears.
I am not sure of what an alternative could be.
Courts have been approving thousands of cases in a day.
I read an article about smart meters some time ago, which put me off having one installed.
The article said that some smart meters wouldnt work if you changed suppliers.
I dont believe that this is still the case.
Smart meters apparently allow you to be more efficient.
I agreed to have one fitted the other day.
Unfortunately they couldnt fit it, due to a lack of room where the current meters are fitted.
Tell the oil and gas companies to stop this, or there will be consequences. Ones that stop them screwing us over.
Here is 1 example in this article:-
https://inews.co.uk/news/consumer/energy-companies-why-making-so-much-money-record-profits-prices-explained-1774927
BP made an extra £1billion-odd by employing oil traders to buy and sell their rivals oil. For a massive profit.
This is a clear conflict of interest. BP has insider knowledge as to when oil prices will rise and fall. Quite simply because they have a massive input as to when oil prices will rise and fall.
This would be unlawful market manipulation almost everywhere else. It is exactly the same as a Football Manager or Player betting on his team to lose. Except for energy companies.
There are lots of rules preventing energy companies cutting people off. This should be extended to a ban on them forcing people into pay-as-you-go meters. As well as extra charges. I agree about a limited right for landlords.
Shell are on course to make £40 billion profit in the last 12 months. You think they won't make compromises in order to make (say) £35 billion next year?
1. An automatic ability to instantly change the way someone pays; or
2. A Court procedure, which takes time and money, and is dependant on the Law not changing in relation to this. When it is likely that this Govt will change it, and pretty much inevitable the next Labour Govt will?
The courts arent even looking at the warrants.
It seems they are just signing off on them.
What is the alternative?
Some people just dont like paying their bills.
Although I am sure that these people are in the minority.
So if you outlaw prepayment meters, and cutting off the supply.
Are you suggesting energy companies should continue to supply people, and just allow their bills to increase forever.
If this was the case, who would ever pay them?
They can take people to Court in relation to the debt-just like everyone else. Impose Mortgages, Attachment of Earnings, seize goods, all sorts. But this is cutting people off by the back door.
It should not be allowed. And, in the short-term, it will be outlawed. Simply because any Government does not want to stand by watching the poor, the elderly and the infirm freeze to death, or die via the inevitable malnutrition caused by never eating hot food.
Prepayment meters are the 21st century equivalent of the Workhouse.
1 of our "Big 6" is EDF. Or, to give its full title, Electricite de France.
Guess what? Energy bills in France are half of that in the UK. Because EDF accepts all sorts of restrictions in France, because the Nation is its largest shareholder.
1 example is that prices cannot increase by more than 4% per annum. But it's not just France. Our utility bills have increased massively more than the rest of Europe.
Many European countries have used windfall profits, together with the bonuses from equivalent rises in VAT/Corporation tax to reduce prices to consumers. For example, by reducing rates of VAT.
Whereas our Government keeps most of the windfall.
Do they have prepayment meters in France?
I hope you are not mistaking me for someone that is in favour of prepayment meters.
Nor that I am unable to see the benefits of countries owning utility companies.
I was merely making the point that I dont believe it currently makes a real difference whether you have a smart meter or not, when it comes to the forced installation of a prepayment meter.
I just dont see a realistic alternative.
If they cant cut people off, or install prepayment meters, many people will refuse to pay, whether they can afford their bills or not.
These unpaid bills will be covered by those that do pay their bills.