FUEL campaigners voiced their outrage today after three energy firms were given the go-ahead to resume forcibly fitting prepayment meters.

EDF, Octopus and Scottish Power no longer need permission from customers to install the meters, which target the poorest and most vulnerable households by cutting off energy if not fed with money. 

Government regulator Ofgem announced the suppliers must follow new conditions. They will have to make at least 10 attempts to contact a customer before a meter is installed and carry out a site welfare visit before proceeding.