Minister for Energy Consumers (): Today
I am able to confirm that my department has stepped in to ensure
there will be a managed and more controlled start of the Radio
Teleswitch Service (RTS) phase out from 30 June. People with an
RTS meter will not face any unexpected disruption to their
heating or hot water at the end of the month.
The Radio Teleswitch Service uses radio signals to switch older
electricity meters between different tariffs such as peak and off
peak and can also be used to turn heating and hot water systems
on and off at specific times of the day.
The technology behind RTS is reliant on infrastructure that was
introduced in the 1980s which is due to be switched off as it is
reaching the end of its operational life. The phased approach to
switch off was agreed with relevant industry parties on behalf of
energy suppliers.
For years the pace of RTS replacements by industry has been too
slow – leaving 314,935 RTS meters still in premises as of 30 May
2025.
My department has worked to ensure industry will pursue a more
controlled approach to the phase out, beginning with a very small
number of homes and businesses in carefully targeted local areas.
During this process, government and Ofgem will closely monitor
supplier readiness to ensure the process is smooth and vulnerable
consumers are identified and protected.
These steps will help ensure suppliers are ready to respond
quickly in case of any issues and that working families and the
elderly are protected throughout the phase out process.
The Government is working closely with Industry and Ofgem to
ensure this next period is planned effectively and consumers,
particularly those who are vulnerable, are protected. Government
is clear that suppliers must fulfil all of their legal
obligations to their customers and will work with Ofgem to hold
suppliers to account.
I will continue to meet with Ofgem and Energy UK on a fortnightly
basis to review how the gradual and targeted phase out is
progressing, with a particular focus on Scotland – where over
100,000 RTS meters are installed, as well as remote and rural
areas, to ensure all efforts are made to reach these households.
To provide additional protection to consumers, Ofgem have
recently consulted on plans to introduce new RTS-specific licence
conditions for energy suppliers. These will include a provision
that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to provide a tariff
that leaves their consumers ‘no worse off' than with their
existing arrangement as a result of an RTS meter replacement.
Ofgem will publish its response to the consultation shortly.
Suppliers will continue contacting consumers to book replacement
appointments and consumers are urged to respond as soon as
possible. In most cases, this will involve replacing the RTS
meter with a smart meter, which can work in the same way as RTS
meters, with automatic peak and off-peak rates, and the ability
to turn heating and hot water systems on and off, ensuring
minimal disruption to households.
In advance of any phase out activity in their area, households
and businesses will be contacted by their energy supplier to
inform them well ahead of time, if their meters will be affected.
The Government has also made clear to industry that suppliers
must fulfil all their obligations to consumers and drive up the
rate of RTS meter replacements. In recent months, suppliers have
taken various steps to speed up their replacement rates and this
must continue. The department continues to impress upon suppliers
the importance of resourcing themselves effectively to ensure
they can reach all their RTS consumers in good time, including
those in rural areas.
While the RTS and the work to replace it is industry-owned and
led, this Government is doing everything we can to ensure that
all consumers are protected from any negative impacts,
particularly those who are vulnerable.
