Home > News > UK ministers have failed to convince public of smart meter benefits

UK ministers have failed to convince public of smart meter benefits

The delayed smart energy meter rollout has failed to meet its targets because ministers have not done enough to convince households of their benefits, according to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

The government watchdog called on ministers to set out how they plan to convince the public to take up a smart meter after a “troubled” rollout that began in 2011.

The committee has also urged the government to disclose the programme’s costs, which are ultimately paid for through energy bills, in a yearly report to parliament.

The government has pushed back the date by which it hoped that all homes and businesses would have a smart meter three times since it first proposed a deadline of 2019. It hopes to reach about 75% of homes and 70% of small businesses by 2025.

Meg Hillier, the Labour MP chair of the committee, said: “Some 15 years later and four years after that missed the target, and its vision of access and support for every household to control their energy efficiency remains distant.”

“On top of this, smart meters have serious reputational obstacles to overcome with the public,” Hillier said, citing reports of people being forced onto prepayment meters.

Late last year it emerged that firms had been remotely switching customers on to pay-as-you-go tariffs through their smart meters. Energy firms have been temporarily banned from physically fitting prepayment meters under warrant.

The committee found that the public was not convinced by smart meters during a rollout, leaving millions of homes with faulty meters.

According to the report, about 3 million smart meters, almost 10% of those installed, were not working as they should have been by March 2023. In addition, it added that millions more could be affected when the 2G and 3G mobile communication networks close.

The committee added that the government had not done enough to convince the public of the benefits of smart meters, which can help households make the most of home solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, and time-of-use tariffs, even when they do work as they are supposed to. The meters are also promoted as a method to help cut consumer bills and carbon emissions.

Hillier said: “The government must now get on to the front foot and explain how it is going to sell this troubled programme to the public – and how it will successfully deliver during a cost of living crisis for those it ought to benefit the most.”

HICH LTD has continually raised the quality standards in the UK property survey market. Our multi-award-winning property survey service has made us the leading reference in the property survey market.

We offer property survey services of the highest quality. Using state-of-the-art equipment, we provide excellent property surveys at affordable prices. Our prices are based on the number of rooms rather than the value of the properties, so you will always get the best value for money with our services.

Please look at our Trustpilot page and see why customers have chosen us as their favourite property survey provider!

At HICH LTD, we work to serve our clients and make the world a better place for everyone. We actively collaborate with NGOs to promote environmental, social, and charitable causes. If you want to know more about our efforts or how you can help, contact us at admin@hich-ltd.co.uk.

HICH LTD extends a warm invitation to contractors and service providers throughout the UK to join our network; by joining the Contractors and Service Providers Network, you will enjoy benefits such as a significant increase in customer flow, advertising on our high-traffic website, and direct contact with thousands of customers in your postcode area. Find more information here or by following the QR code in the video.