Are smart meters just another form of Big Brother is watching you?
Over the last few years we have seen microchips stapled to the bottom of our wheelie bins, the introduction of CCTV cameras on every corner of every street (the UK has the most CCTV cameras in the world per square mile) and more and more onerous laws and regulations so the authorities can keep an eye on us. Would a smart meter be another way for the government, the energy companies and the regulators to keep an eye on every household in the UK?
Like so many other schemes which have been introduced in the name of consumer improvements yet again it is the consumer who will be expected to cover the £8 billion cost associated with the plan. There is also no guarantee that the £3 billion of cost savings will in any way shape or form be transferred to the UK consumer but the authorities will have a new eye in your front room and more details about your energy use around the home. Could we see fines for the over use of energy? Could we see a variation in energy costs up and down the country?
The truth is that while many schemes have been put forward as cost-saving programmes for UK consumers very often there is an undertone which is not as positive as you might think.
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