British Gas to pay £90 million over prepayment meter scandal

British Gas will pay £90 million to compensate customers after the U.K. energy regulator Ofgem concluded a three-year investigation into the company’s handling of prepayment meter installations. The case centered on customers who were moved onto prepayment meters, including vulnerable households, amid concerns over debt collection practices. Ofgem said the compensation package is intended to address customer harm linked to the scandal. British Gas is owned by Centrica PLC (CNA.L). The settlement adds to regulatory scrutiny of U.K. energy suppliers following a period of elevated household energy costs and tighter oversight of customer treatment.