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Ofgem’s £40 Automatic Payouts for Smart Meter Failures Begin 23 February

The change aims to speed repairs to restore confidence after widespread smart‑meter faults.

Overview

  • The updated Guaranteed Standards apply to new smart‑meter problems first arising on or after 23 February 2026.
  • Households get £40 automatically if they wait over six weeks for an installation appointment.
  • A £40 payment also applies if an installation appointment fails due to a fault within the supplier’s control.
  • Customers qualify for £40 if they report a problem but do not receive a resolution plan within five working days.
  • Major suppliers including British Gas, Octopus, EDF and OVO are covered, with Ofgem and the Government saying the reforms will drive faster fixes after restoring more than 900,000 meters since 2024.