04 February 2023 , 19:50
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Agents of British Gas who broke into homes to fit pre-payment meters received £1.4million in the pandemic, we can reveal.
The handout came despite the fact Arvato Financial Solutions is ultimately run by a German billionaire.
Tonight the firm was urged to return the furlough cash amid uproar over their debt collectors’ brutal tactics.
Bailiffs forced their way into homes of vulnerable British Gas customers behind on bills, an investigation by The Times revealed last week.
Victims – including the sick and disabled – were forced to have more costly pre-payment meters.
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Leeds Labour MP Richard Burgon said: “The company was quick to take public funds during the pandemic but seems only too prepared to treat the public like dirt if it can make extra profits.
Labour MP Richard Burgon is calling for regulators to step in (Philip Coburn)“The regulators need to step in and take the toughest action against this cruel company, including stripping it of powers to carry on as a debt collector.”
Arvato, used by British Gas since 2017, received £1.32m under the Coronavirus job retention scheme in 2020. Another £70,000 was given in 2021 towards its 363 debt collectors.
The firm is part of German company Bertelsmann, which made £2.06bn in 2021 – its largest profit for 15 years.
Its largest shareholder is Liz Mohn, 81, reportedly worth £5.3bn.
Simon Francis, of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “This is a firm that won’t show mercy to vulnerable people in energy debt. It’s another profiteer from the misery caused by Britain’s broken energy system.”
British Gas has apologised and admitted 20,000 meters were forcibly installed. Arvato previously said it had acted “compliantly at all times”.
Business Secretary Grant Shapps has given energy firms until Tuesday to come up with a compensation plan.
Arvato said it got furlough cash to cover employee wages during lockdown periods.