British Gas has restarted the installation of prepayment meters for customers unable to pay their energy bills, following the lifting of a regulatory block. This decision comes after the company paid over £100 million in a settlement related to its previous practices during the energy crisis, which drew significant public and governmental scrutiny.
The regulator has emphasized that installing these meters should be a last resort, with strict guidelines in place to protect vulnerable customers. Despite these measures, concerns remain about the impact on households facing high energy costs this winter, as the energy debt in the UK is projected to surpass £7 billion.