prepayment

According to the data, 1.9 million items were issued to patients with a prepayment certificate.

From 1 October, households on prepayment meters will pay slightly less than those on direct debit, with a typical bill of £1,669, a rise of £147.

From 1 July, households on prepayment meters are paying slightly less than those on direct debit, with a typical bill of £1,522, a drop of £121.

Those on prepayment meters, who tend to top up meters during the colder, darker months will see less immediate impact if there is a summer drop in prices, following the previous fall in April.

The number of compensation payouts made to people wrongly put onto prepayment meters is "completely unacceptable", the energy secretary has said.