ACROSS the North West, many people are not confident in the accuracy of their gas and electricity bills and feel they don’t have the information they need to choose the right tariff.

And over half a million households across the region are using clunky and expensive pre-pay key meters – the North West has some of the highest rates of fuel poverty in the country, with many families struggling to pay for this large chunk of the household budget.

Smart meters are coming to every home, and they’re going to transform this outdated experience.

Between now and 2020, every home and micro-business in the North West will be offered a smart meter, installed by energy suppliers at no additional cost.

No more meter readings, no more ‘estimated bills’ – you get an accurate bill and only pay for what you’ve actually used.

Would you imagine having to call your mobile phone company to tell then how many minutes you’d used?

Smart meters measure the gas and electricity you use and communicate directly with your energy supplier. The handheld display tells you in near real time how much energy you're using and what it costs, in a language we all understand - pounds and pence. This will allow us all to take control of how we buy and use gas and electricity.

You can learn more about the roll-out of smart meters and the benefits they will bring by visiting smartenergygb.org.

Sacha Deshmukh

Chief Executive

Smart Energy GB

East Side, King’s Cross Station, London N1C 4AX