All UK household energy suppliers have agreed to a ban on forcibly installing prepayment meters (PPMs) in the homes of people over the age of 85, the industry regulator has announced.Ofgem said suppliers have signed up to a new code of practice which will also see them give customers more chances to clear debts.PPMs have been in the spotlight after some energy suppliers, including British Gas, were caught breaking into the homes of people struggling to pay their bills to forcibly install them.Th

All UK household energy suppliers have agreed to a ban on forcibly installing prepayment meters (PPMs) in the homes of people over the age of 85, the industry regulator has announced.Ofgem said suppliers have signed up to a new code of practice which will also see them give customers more chances to clear debts.PPMs have been in the spotlight after some energy suppliers, including British Gas, were caught breaking into the homes of people struggling to pay their bills to forcibly install them.The tougher rules also mean that energy suppliers and their contractors must make at least 10 attempts to contact a customer and carry out a site welfare visit before a PPM can be installed.Suppliers will also need to avoid forced installations where a "continuous supply" of energy is needed for health reasons, such as for the terminally ill, as well as for people over 85 years of age.Energy firms will also be required to make representatives fitting them wear body cameras or audio equipment.