Meeting of the Parliament 20 May 2025
I thank Beatrice Wishart for securing this debate on an issue that affects people across Scotland, from Glasgow to the Shetland isles.
Figures from Ofgem show that, as of 18 April 2025, there were still 22,579 radio teleswitch service meters in the Glasgow region and that, in the fortnight leading up to 18 April, just 808 meters had been replaced. With some quick mental maths, we can say that, working at the same rate, it would take just over a year for my constituents who are still using the radio teleswitch service to have new meters installed. That would be too late for the thousands of constituents whose RTS meters will be switched off in just six weeks’ time, which succinctly demonstrates what Age Scotland has called, in its briefing, a “looming crisis”.
I thank the organisations that have taken the time to brief MSPs ahead of today’s debate, including the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Ofgem, Smart Energy GB, Age Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland. Given the scale of the task before energy suppliers, I share the housing federation’s concern that they do not have the capacity to switch over all RTS consumers for whom a smart meter will be appropriate by the 30 June deadline.
Those who are still using a radio teleswitch service come 30 June could be negatively affected both financially and in their day-to-day lives. Without the ability to control their heating and hot water, many could be left without both, and others will be left with their heating turned on more than they would choose, incurring a cost that they cannot and should not have to afford.
Citizens Advice Scotland reports that some of those who have a new meter installed in the next six weeks will need to rewire or relocate it in order to successfully install it, which could incur other costs. The SFHA shares CAS’s concerns and has highlighted the fact that consumers might face higher energy bills due to changes in the tariffs that are available to them, or as a result of inaccurate information being provided by the supplier.
Given the significant number of RTS meters in housing association properties, the switch-off is an understandable and significant concern for the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, and I am proud to voice that concern on its behalf.
I ask all energy providers to make it an urgent priority between now and 30 June to increase the number of installation appointments and to contact customers who have not switched over.
I ask the Scottish Government to request regular updates from energy providers on the progress that they are making to get the number of customers in Scotland who are still using the RTS down to zero by 30 June, and, in particular, to ask how many of those customers are on the priority services register.
Financial support must be put in place for residents who incur costs because they need to install a new meter through no fault of their own, and energy suppliers should automatically compensate customers whose meters are not replaced before the deadline and who face increased bills as a result of having to use more expensive heating alternatives.
Although I accept that the RTS has come to the end of its operational life, I cannot accept that energy suppliers could not have been more prepared ahead of the 30 June deadline. It is likely to be the hardest to reach in our communities who will struggle the most, including those who are digitally excluded, those who live in fuel poverty and those who live alone.
There is not much time left until the RTS switch-off, and we, as MSPs, should do everything that we can between now and 30 June to ensure that affected constituents are supported financially and practically to replace their meters.
I again thank Beatrice Wishart for securing the debate and bringing focus to this important issue. I look forward to updates from energy suppliers on how they plan to ensure that the 22,579 people in the region that I represent who are still using the RTS will be switched over by 30 June.
18:22