The government has demanded that energy suppliers stop forcing vulnerable households on prepaid meters.
Business Secretary Grant Shapps’ announcement comes after charities including Citizens Advice called for the practice to be banned.
More and more people are left without heat or light if they cannot afford to have their meters charged.
He added that he would “name and shame” those suppliers who are “not doing nearly enough” for vulnerable customers.
“This action is part of an initiative to increase transparency around the installation of prepayment meters,” Mr Shapps wrote in a letter to utilities.
Energy companies should first make greater efforts to help those struggling to pay their bills, such as through credit or debt advice, Mr Shapps told them.
- British Gas stops remote switches to prepaid meters
- “I was forced into a prepaid meter”
British Gas has already announced it will stop switching people to prepaid meters via its smart meters if they are struggling to pay their bills.
Citizens Advice said that forcibly moving people should be banned, adding that the number of customers in need of crisis support such as an emergency grant has risen sharply.
Audrey Ridson, 81, was switched to one despite being unable to go to the store to top up her energy card.
Audrey, from Hampshire, was in hospital recovering from a fall when her energy company switched her to a prepayment account – although her daughter-in-law warned her supplier that Audrey would struggle to get to the shops to make a payment to to charge their meter.
However, the government will shy away from an outright ban over concerns about a subsequent surge in bailiff claims.
Mr Shapps wrote: “Suppliers are clearly leaping ahead and taking vulnerable customers to prepayment counters before offering them the support they are entitled to.”
He wanted suppliers to “give a more sympathetic ear” to those struggling with the rising cost of living.
“I am deeply concerned by reports of customers who have been switched to prepaid meters against their will, with some having their supply cut off – and literally being left in the dark,” he added.
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