British Gas sorry over £8,000 electricity bill

A family in East Yorkshire said they were "shocked and scared" after receiving an electricity bill for £8000.

Rebekah Watson and her family, who live in Holme on Spalding Moor, said the figure, for one quarter's use, was seven times more than their average annual bill.

The family said smart meters at their home did not match the ones registered with their provider.

British Gas apologised and said the bill was "incorrect and has been cancelled".

Mrs Watson said she had been trying to get answers from British Gas since the start of the year.

In April, after having no success, she contacted BBC Look North, who spoke to British Gas.

The company then admitted the bill was a mistake.

The bill has been cancelled and the Watsons will be given compensation.

The family, who live in a 3 bedroom, semi-detached property, said their average quarterly bill would usually cost £200-£300.

"Our bills have always been low so this one was a bit of a shock. Previously they'd always been manageable, fair and reasonable," said Mrs Watson.

"It was Christmas time and it was just like, look at this bill, how have we spent that much electricity? I laughed and thought well, it's obviously wrong, isn't it?"

After having smart meters fitted in July 2021, the family said they had experienced problems because the serial numbers did not match the ones registered with British Gas.

Mrs Watson said: "It's like our meter is going backwards. We've even had someone from British Gas come round and change the system.

"We submitted readings manually but the bill was still high, we logged our use for seven days and even sent them pictures.

"You do wonder at which point do you end up in a court situation? We mounted up debt and it stressed us out".

In March, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero estimated more that four million smart meters, installed in Great Britain, were not working correctly.

Mrs Watson said the situation had also had an impact on her 9-year-old son and her 12-year-old daughter who had been "worried".

"We work really hard so that our children can have a good quality of life", she said.

"I don't want them to worry about money. There's a cost of living crisis, they know about food banks and I don't want them to think that we're in that position."

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