CAMPAIGNERS against fuel poverty delivered a seven-foot prepayment meter to the Department of Energy Security in London today to highlight their demand that the government ban forced installations of the devices.

In February, the government suspended energy firms’ practice of forcing people who fall behind with their bill payments to switch to a prepayment meter after the revelation that courts had granted half a million warrants for such actions provoked an outcry.

Fuel Poverty Action is now demanding the government ban forced installations outright to prevent loss of household heat and power putting lives at risk amid reports that the suspension will be lifted this month.

Holly, a Unite Community member with mobility difficulties who did not wish to share her last name, said that having a prepayment meter forced on her had been “a nightmare.”

“It took away my independence and it was awful waiting for help for hours without power, in the dark while the food in my freezer was ruined,” she said.

Stuart Bretherton of Fuel Poverty Action said: “The real debt is owed to us, the public, who have seen billions of pounds flow to energy companies directly out of our pockets and through our taxes due to poor policy-making by this government.”