Carmichael presses ministers for “urgent” update on RTS shutdown
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today in Parliament called for the government to set out its plan of action on the upcoming radio teleswitch service (RTS) shutdown on the 30th of June. Speaking during Business Questions Mr Carmichael noted the lack of updates from ministers following a roundtable discussion on the 5th of February, while the shutdown is now just over 100 days away.
Thousands of energy meters in the Northern Isles rely on RTS for tariffs such as Total Heating with Total Control, but these will need to be replaced ahead of the signal shutdown – though Ofgem has stated that no household will lose electricity supply as a result.
Speaking in the House, Mr Carmichael said:
“Can we have an early debate in government time on the ending of the radio teleswitch service (RTS), in respect of which so many people relying on electric heating, and storage heating in particular, depend?
“This was last debated on an end-of-day adjournment debate on the 4th of December. That spawned a ministerial roundtable on the 5th of February which promised further updates, but none have been forthcoming. We’ve just over 100 days to go and it would be good to know that there is some sense of urgency in government on this.”
Responding for the government, the Leader of the House Lucy Powell MP said:
“I very strongly hear what he has to say on the impending deadline, and I’m sorry if this House has not been kept as up to date as it should have been. I will make some enquiries and make sure that he and the rest of the House are updated.”
Reacting after the exchange Mr Carmichael said:
“For years energy companies and Ofgem were asleep at the wheel when it came to the RTS shutdown. That is not this government’s fault, but it is their responsibility to find solutions – and fast.
“At the current rate of replacement there will still be tens of thousands of RTS meters across the country when the switch off happens in June, and a disproportionate number of these are likely to be in the isles. Time is running out, so I shall keep pressing this issue with ministers until we get the answers we need.”