Hundreds of thousands of homeowners relieved as meter switch-off is delayed

Hundreds of thousands of households across the UK can breathe a sigh of relief after the government announced a delay to the planned shutdown of older electricity meters, averting a potential crisis in heating and hot water access.

The government has confirmed that the planned 30 June switch-off of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) to help homeowners deal with energy price rises will no longer go ahead as originally scheduled.

Instead, the phase-out will begin gradually and in select locations – giving energy suppliers more time to upgrade meters and protecting vulnerable customers from being left without essential services.

"Thousands of vulnerable consumers will not now experience any sudden disruption," said Energy Consumers Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh. "This is about managing the process in a way that protects people, especially those most at risk."

Concerns over deadline

As of late May, more than 314,000 homes, including over 100,000 in Scotland alone, were still using obsolete RTS meters.

These devices, introduced in the 1980s, rely on longwave radio signals to toggle electricity use between peak and off-peak electricity times and can directly control heating and hot water systems.

Concerns mounted in recent months that many households would not be upgraded in time, potentially losing control of their energy systems – or facing higher bills – if meters were switched off before replacements were installed.

Fuel poverty campaigners warned that the original end-of-June deadline was “simply unachievable” and risked widespread disruption.

Gradual phase-out and more targeted support

The government now says that the RTS switch-off will begin on a “small scale” and in carefully chosen areas.

Households and businesses will be contacted well in advance by their energy supplier to schedule meter replacements – primarily with modern smart meters capable of mimicking RTS functionality.

Ministers emphasised that the new phased approach will allow for closer monitoring by Ofgem and ensure that vulnerable customers are prioritised.

Ofgem is also preparing new rules requiring suppliers to offer replacement tariffs that leave customers “no worse off” than under RTS arrangements – a key demand from consumer groups.

Industry under pressure

Suppliers have faced mounting criticism over the slow pace of replacements. Despite years of warnings, many were unable to ramp up installations to meet the original deadline.

The energy department has now made clear that firms must step up. “Suppliers need to be properly resourced to reach all RTS customers, including those in remote and rural areas,” said Minister Fahnbulleh.

The government will meet fortnightly with Ofgem and industry leaders to track progress – with particular focus on rural Scotland, where the density of RTS meters is highest.

What happens next?

Customers with RTS meters should expect to be contacted by their energy supplier in the coming weeks or months.

In most cases, installations will involve a straightforward swap to a smart meter, preserving off-peak pricing and automatic heating schedules.

Consumers are encouraged to respond promptly to booking requests and ask questions if unsure. The government has assured the public that no one will be left behind in the transition.