Consumer campaigner Martin Lewis has raised concerns about the UK Government’s smart meter programme, stating that the focus on installing new meters is causing problems for customers with faulty devices.
In a letter to Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Mr Lewis argued that repair needs are being overlooked as energy suppliers prioritise meeting installation targets.
Mr Lewis, Founder of MoneySavingExpert, suggested that suppliers should be incentivised to fix broken meters as well as install new ones.
He cited instances where households faced significant billing errors due to malfunctioning smart meters, including a case where a customer saw their monthly bill spike dramatically.
In his letter, Martin Lewis said: “A rethink is needed – specifically I’d suggest shifting firms’ targets from smart meter installations to the overall number of ‘working’ smart meters, which would incentivise firms to do both installations and repairs.”
By June 2024, 53% of non-domestic meters managed by large suppliers were smart or advanced, with electricity meters performing better than gas (55% vs 40%).
Including smart meters in traditional mode, these numbers remain steady at 58% for electricity and 43% for gas.
Traditional mode refers to smart meters that have lost functionality and need manual readings.
By the end of June, 57% of domestic meters were smart, rising to 64% when traditional-mode meters are included.
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson told Energy Live News: “As recognised by Martin Lewis, smart meters help people manage their energy use and save money on their bills.
“While over ninety percent of smart maters are operating normally, the number in traditional mode is still too high – meaning many households are missing out on cheaper, flexible tariffs.
“We expect energy suppliers to resolve any issues with their customers’ meters at a much faster pace, with Ofgem responsible for holding them to account.”
