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Ofgem Orders Automatic £40 Payouts for Smart Meter Delays as New Rules Take Effect

Ofgem says stricter guaranteed standards will push suppliers to fix problems faster, rebuilding trust in the rollout.

Overview

  • From February 2026, suppliers must automatically pay £40 if customers wait more than six weeks for an appointment, if installations fail due to supplier fault, or if no resolution plan is provided within five working days.
  • The move extends Guaranteed Standards of Performance to smart meter appointments, installations and repairs, with a review scheduled for early 2027.
  • Ofgem reports that compliance action since 2024 has led to more than 900,000 previously non-operational smart meters being repaired or replaced.
  • Government data indicates over 70% of homes in Britain now have a smart or advanced meter, with more than 90% of those working correctly.
  • Uswitch’s Richard Neudegg welcomed the changes, saying automatic compensation should increase confidence to get smart meters and unlock access to cheaper tariffs.