Tories urge ministers to scrap smart meters over hiked pricing fears
Top Tories urge ministers to scrap plans for smart meters over fears the controversial rollout will see customers face higher charges
- Tories’ Net Zero Scrutiny Group want to amend the Government’s Energy Bill
- Chair Craig Mackinlay says smart meters are a way for suppliers to charge more
- Government sources said there would be no climbdown on smart meter drive
Ministers are being urged to abandon the controversial rollout of smart meters over fears that they are a ‘back door’ to higher charges.
Senior Tories who want to scale back the Government’s net-zero agenda will try to derail the scheme.
Former Energy Secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Craig Mackinlay, chairman of the Tories’ backbench Net Zero Scrutiny Group want to amend the Government’s Energy Bill.
Last night, Mr Mackinlay said: ‘Smart meters are clearly a back-door way of suppliers managing demand at peak times, charging more when they want and cutting off households at the drop of a hat.’
But Government sources made it clear there would be no climbdown on the drive to get every home in the country to replace analogue energy meters with smart versions.
Ministers are being urged to abandon the controversial rollout of smart meters over fears that they are a ‘back door’ to higher charges
By March this year, just over half of all homes and small businesses had had them fitted.
But Sir Jacob said: ‘Smart meters pose a real danger that they will be used to charge customers a premium price.’
The Government said: ‘Smart meters play a crucial role in putting households and small businesses in control of energy use, saving money on bills and offsetting price increases.’
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said ‘smart meters pose a real danger that they will be used to charge customers a premium price’
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