Scottish acting Minister for Climate Action Dr Alasdair Allan has
asked for urgent actions to increase the pace of progress on
replacing Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters ahead of the
service switching off in June.
RTS meters are out of date and energy suppliers are being
encouraged by Ofgem to replace old meters with smart meters. If
meters are not replaced before the service is switched off, it
could mean disruption to heating and hot water supplies, and
possibly higher bills for households and businesses still using
the technology.
In response to Ofgem's consultation on an introduction of new
licence conditions to the RTS, Dr Allan reiterated the Scottish
Government's repeated calls for further action to be taken to
protect energy consumers as the industry works to replace
thousands of meters across the country.
Ofgem's data from suppliers shows that between October 2024 and
January 2025 around 18,700 RTS meters were replaced in Scotland.
As of January 2025, there were still 146,302 RTS consumers in
Scotland who need to have their meters replaced. Support for RTS
energy meters ends on June 30 2025.
Acting Climate Action Minister Alasdair Allan said:
“Protecting consumers is the Scottish Government's highest
priority. The approach taken so far has been insufficient, and
consumers cannot be blamed for the failure of the energy industry
to properly plan for and respond to the RTS switch-off.
“People who rely on the RTS will experience considerable
detriment unless meters are replaced by the switch-off date –
particularly in rural and island communities.
“There is a real and pressing need for suppliers to be made to
explain what their workforce plan is to get engineers to
premises. Consideration should also be given to additional
enforcement action to reduce no-show instances and to ensure that
every household is fitted with a fully functioning meter before
the deadline.
“Due to the cost of living crisis, it is also unacceptable to
expect consumers to pay for expensive re-wiring as a consequence
of the RTS switch-off - they should not be confronted with any
additional anxieties. The creation of a fund to support consumers
in this position is critical.
“While devolved governments do not hold the levers, the Scottish
Government will work with Ofgem, the UK Government and industry
to raise awareness of the RTS switch-off.”
Background
Energy infrastructure and regulation is the responsibility of the
UK Government.
Full letter from Dr Alasdair
Allan to Ofgem
Consumers may use an RTS meter if their property:
- has a meter that switches between peak and off-peak tariff
rates, such as Economy 7 or Economy 10, or a Total Heating Total
Control tariff
- has a meter that automatically turns on heating or hot water
- uses electric or storage heaters
- is located in a no-gas supply area (off-grid), especially in
rural areas.
- Advice Direct Scotland 0800 028 1456 and Citizens Advice
Scotland 0800 028 1456.
Ofgem guidance: Replacing your Radio Teleswitch
electricity meter | Ofgem
Letter from Dr Alasdair Allan to
UK Government (8 January 2025)
Letter from Minister for Climate
Action to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy
Consumers reiterating calls for more support for consumers
struggling with energy bills (September 2024)
Open letter from then-Minister
for Climate Action Gillian Martin urging energy suppliers to
prioritise Radio Teleswitch Service customers when progressing
the roll-out of smart meters (June 2024)
