Grant Shapps tells Ofgem to toughen up on energy suppliers in the wake of ... trends now
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Ofgem has been told by the Business Secretary to toughen up its regulation of suppliers amid an outcry over the prepayment meter scandal.
Grant Shapps accused the energy regulator of 'having the wool pulled over their eyes' by taking at face value what the energy company bosses were telling them and not listening to customers.
He said that he was giving the companies a deadline of Tuesday to report back on what action they would be taking - including compensation - with regard to customers who may have had prepayment meters wrongfully installed in their homes.
It follows an investigation by The Times which revealed how vulnerable customers - including disabled and mentally ill people - were being forced by British Gas on to the pay-as-you-go meters, or have their gas switched off.
An undercover reporter for the newspaper worked for debt collecting contractor Arvato Financial Solutions and accompanied agents who used court warrants to gain entry into customers' homes to force-fit the meters.
Business Secretary Grant Shapps is giving energy firms until Tuesday to explain how they will make amends to customers who have had prepayment meters wrongfully installed
Energy companies can obtain court warrants which give them legal rights to enter people's homes and fit prepayment meters if customers have not paid their bills (stock picture)
In a statement, Mr Shapps said: 'I am appalled that vulnerable customers struggling with their energy bills have had their homes
