Forced prepay meter installations to be banned in homes of over-85s

The forcible instalment of prepayment energy meters in homes of customers over 85 will be banned under new rules.

Energy suppliers will also have to give struggling customers more chances to clear their debts before making them switch to a prepayment meter.

It comes after debt agents for British Gas broke into some people's homes to fit meters, sparking an outcry.

Switching people onto prepayment meters without their consent has become more common as since energy prices went up.

Suppliers can do it by warrant or remotely via a customer's smart meter.

But campaigners say prepayment meters - which must be topped up - leave vulnerable customers at risk of running out of credit and losing access to light and heat.

The energy regulator Ofgem placed a temporary ban on all forcible installations after the Times newspaper exposed the practices at British Gas.

But the BBC understands that on Tuesday at 7am, the regulator will announce that all energy suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales have signed up to a code of conduct that sets out the practices they should adhere to when fitting the meters.

Under the rules, first reported by the Guardian, suppliers will now have to make at least 10 attempts to contact a customer - and conduct a "site welfare visit" before a prepayment meter is installed.

Representatives fitting them will also have to wear body cameras.