Ofgem: Energy firms 'obliged' to help consumers in debt

Energy watchdog Ofgem has said energy companies are "obliged" to help consumers who are in debt.

The watchdog said it would launch an investigation into the installation of pre-pay meters.

Suppliers can gain a court order to install a pre-pay meter when customers are "in the red".

Philip Cullum from Ofgem said energy companies were supposed negotiate a ''fair rate'' of repayment with householders in financial difficulty.