Citizens Advice Cymru research on prepayment meters

That this House expresses concern at research by Citizens Advice Cymru which indicates that across Wales the service dealt with more cases of households unable to top up their prepayment meter in 2022 than in the previous 10 years combined; notes that research by Citizens Advice Cymru indicates that a third of prepayment meter users in Wales are struggling with payments; further notes that prepayment meters whilst useful for budgeting are a more expensive way to pay for energy consumption; further expresses concern at the research which indicates that 32 per cent of prepayment meter users in Wales were disconnected from their energy supply last year, that 23 per cent have been disconnected at least once a month, that 10 per cent have been without energy for over 24 hours; notes the potentially dangerous consequences for households being without electricity or heating, especially the vulnerable, and the pressure this places on health and social care services; further notes that the research indicates that 71 per cent of prepayment meter users are worried about keeping up with payments; is concerned that Citizens Advice local offices are reporting a three-fold increase in the number of consumers being switched to prepayment meters by energy suppliers last year; and supports Citizens Advice in calling on a prohibition of forced prepayment meter installations until consumer safeguards are introduced and a review of all prepayment meter customers with the aim of moving consumers to credit meters where necessary to reduce the risk of disconnections.