Lords considers Smart Meters Bill
21 May 2018
The Smart Meters Bill had its third reading, a chance to 'tidy up' the bill and make changes, in the Lords on Tuesday 22 May.
- Catch up on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript
- Bills and legislation: Smart Meters Bill
- Lords Library briefing - Smart Meters Bill 2017-19: Briefing for Lords Stages
- What is third reading?
No changes were made to the bill at third reading.
As both Houses have agreed on the text of the bill it now awaits the final stage of Royal Assent when it will become an Act of Parliament (law).
Royal Assent is scheduled for 23 May.
Lords report stage: Tuesday 15 May
Members discussed subjects including the publication of a National Plan for Smart Metering and a testing regime for SMETS2 meters.
Committee stage: Tuesday 24 April
- Catch up on Parliament TV
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript
- Bills and legislation: Smart Meters Bill
- Lords Library briefing - Smart Meters Bill 2017-19: Briefing for Lords Stages
- What is committee stage?
The committee stage of this bill took place in Grand Committee, a room outside the Lords chamber. In Grand Committee, any member can take part and decisions on amendments can be made, but no votes can take place.
Members discussed subjects including cyber security, the impact on UK energy usage and a code of practice for energy suppliers.
Lords second reading: Tuesday 13 March
Members discussed the deadline for the roll out of smart meters and engaging with energy customers.
Smart Meters Bill summary
The main purposes of the bill are:
- extending existing powers to develop, amend and oversee regulations related to the licensing of smart meters for gas and electricity usage.
- introduce a special administration regime for the national smart meter communication and data service provider (Smart DCC Ltd or ‘DCC’) in the event of its insolvency.
- new powers for Ofgem to directly modify industry codes and documents to deliver a market-wide half-hourly settlement which uses smart metering data.