British Gas changed T&C - non smart prepayment meter top ups (stockpiling)

RachelMarie123

For existing customers after 31/08/2022 British Gas are changing their T&Cs. I have received these by email today for gas & electricity.

Specifically clause 34 currently states:

"If you pay by prepayment, the new price will only be applied to the meter when you next top up and use your card, key or token with the meter".

It will state:

"If you pay by prepayment, you might need to top up and use your card, key or token with your meter for the new prices to take effect".

In the description of this change BG says: 

"Section 34 now makes it clear that if your gas or electricity prices change and you have a prepayment meter, you might need to top up and use your card, key or token with your meter for the new prices to take effect. This won’t be the case for all prepayment customers but is something that might happen".

Based on BG confirming on Twitter (15/03/2022) that customers could stockpile energy I believe that anyone who has topped up prior to the new T&Cs being communicated, and therefore did so on the basis of the previous clause 34, will come under the definition of "this won't be the case for all prepayment customers".

This is the case I will make for myself if needed, for the information of anyone who may be interested.

MWT

RachelMarie123 said:

Based on BG confirming on Twitter (15/03/2022) that customers could stockpile energy I believe that anyone who has topped up prior to the new T&Cs being communicated, and therefore did so on the basis of the previous clause 34, will come under the definition of "this won't be the case for all prepayment customers".

Unless there is something in the rest of the notification you received which would clearly suggest otherwise, it seems more likely that they are referring to those with smart pre-pay meters...