Starting from February 23, new regulations will come into force in the UK requiring energy suppliers to provide automatic compensation of £40 to households experiencing delays or failures in their smart meter installations. This initiative aims to ensure fair treatment of consumers who have faced issues due to supplier-related faults or delays in installation appointments.

Under the new rules, households are entitled to the compensation if they wait more than six weeks for an appointment or if an installation fails due to errors within the supplier's control. Additionally, energy companies must provide a corrective action plan for any reported issue within five working days, or else the £40 compensation will be due. This move comes as part of the government's effort to promote the rollout of smart meters across the nation, enhancing energy efficiency and customer service.

The implementation of these tougher rules reflects a growing recognition of the need to protect consumers in the energy sector, especially as smart meters become increasingly prevalent in households. By ensuring financial compensation for service delays or failures, the regulations aim to encourage suppliers to improve their performance and support a more reliable smart meter rollout in the UK.