An Amman Valley MP has called for a crackdown on energy firms' pre-payment meters.

Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, tabled a parliamentary motion earlier this month on energy firms forcing households to switch to pre-payment meters.

This came after research from Citizens Advice Cymru noted a third of pre-payment meter users in Wales are struggling with payments.

Mr Edwards said: “Whilst this is a step in the right direction from the government, it is clear that more needs to be done to protect customers during the energy and cost-of-living crisis.

“What we need is a total ban on forced pre-payment meter installations until new protections are introduced that ensure households can no longer be fully disconnected.”

Pre-payment meters are a more expensive way to pay for energy consumption, with Citizens Advice Cymru’s research stating that 32 per cent of prepayment meter users in Wales have been disconnected at least once a month, with 10 per cent being without electricity for mor than 24 hours.

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Mr Edwards said: “The research by Citizens Advice Cymru paints a very bleak picture of the situation individuals and families find themselves in and I am very concerned of the potentially dangerous consequences for households being without electricity or heating.

“We must ensure the most vulnerable are protected especially during the recent cold weather snap this could go on to place additional pressure on health and social care services.

"As well as having an effect on physical health, we cannot forget the impact on people’s mental health at a time when budgets are being stretched and customers continue to choose between heating and eating.

“The government must do more to ensure adequate protections are in place for those who need them.”