All uk households may be forced to install two smart meters under labour plans

All uk households may be forced to install two smart meters under labour plans


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EVERY HOUSEHOLD MAY HAVE TO INSTALL A SMART METER FOR ENERGY, AND A SMART METER FOR WATER, UNDER A PROPOSED REVAMP. 09:16, 03 Jun 2025 All UK households may have to install two smart meters


under Labour Party government plans, it has been warned. Every household may have to install a smart meter for energy, and a smart meter for water, under a proposed revamp. The move forms


part of the Government’s proposed “family bathtime tax” which would force owners of larger properties and gardens to pay more for their water bills. Nick Hunn, founder of the wireless


technology consulting firm, WiFore, told The Telegraph: “We were told that the big benefit for smart meters would be lower bills. We can see by the number of complaints that this didn’t


happen. READ MORE UK FACES 'SPANISH SCORCHER' HEATWAVE WITH 31C AS EXACT DATE IT STARTS ANNOUNCED “We would see the same thing with smart water meters – moving from a system that’s


quite simple to one that is needlessly complicated and more likely to go wrong.” A spokesman for Open Rights Group, a digital rights campaign group, said a mass smart water meter rollout


posed similar risks for consumers, adding: “Smart water meters could be used to track how many people are in a property, analyse daily routines, and reveal when you cook, shower or water


your garden. Article continues below “This is a clear example of how everyday infrastructure can quietly become a surveillance tool – without public awareness or consent.” Kevin Hollinrake,


the shadow housing secretary, said Labour had been “caught red-handed” planning a new tax on water usage with the help of “ Big Brother technology”. Mr Hunn added: “Electricity companies can


disconnect you through a smart meter. If that logic goes into water then you have a situation where the company would be able to turn off your water. “If someone hacks into that system,


they can turn off large chunks of the country’s water supply.” A Government spokesman said: “This is absolute rubbish from the same Conservative Party that broke our water industry. “After


their rule, water bills skyrocketed and we had record levels of sewage being pumped into our rivers. While the Tories are making up rubbish, the Labour Government is focused on fixing our


water industry, raising over £100bn to upgrade pipes and cut sewage by nearly 50pc.” A Smart Energy GB spokesman said: “There are 39 million smart meters across Britain, with thousands of


people getting their old meters upgraded every day. It’s encouraging to see continuing progress in ensuring that all smart meters operate with full smart functionality. Article continues


below “The vast majority (91pc) are operating as they should, helping households and businesses to better manage their energy use and save money.”