British Gas and EDF Energy websites not working on final day to submit meter readings
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.British Gas, EDF Energy and other energy companies’ online services have stopped working properly on the final day for customers to submit meter readings.
Websites said they were unable to accept meter readings through their websites or apps, as a result of technical problems. Pages on the British Gas website loaded but it would refuse to accept readings, while EDF’s website said it was down for “essential maintenance work” and that it would be “up and running again soon”.
Other energy companies seemed to be suffering similar problems. Shell Energy’s website was down completely, and customers reported problems with Scottish Power’s online services.
Customers in the UK have been advised by experts including Martin Lewis to ensure that their usage is correctly logged by the end of March, to ensure that they are not hit by unfair charges.
Price changes go into effect on 1 April, and so any usage before that date that isn’t logged with energy companies may be charged at the new – and much higher – rate.
MP Tom Tugendhat was one of many to voice frustration with the outage and its timing.
British Gas encouraged customers to use a form on its website to send in meter readings, which appeared to be working when the systems in its app were not.
Mr Lewis told customers not to worry about any delays in submitting readings – but to do it as soon as they could.
“If you can’t get to do a meter reading today, do it tomorrow, or Sunday, or monday,” he wrote on Twitter. “The nearer to today you do it the less chance of mis-estimates, so don’t panic about missing it (either through your own or the firm’s issue) just get it in as soon as you can.”
Customers were also advised to take photographs of their meters in case of any disputes.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments