In a new report, the PAC said that the roll-out had failed to meet its original targets and has repeatedly shifted its deadlines for completion. It also said that consumers with traditional meters are less interested in having a smart meter.

Reports of forced switching of consumers to smart meters last winter may have dissuaded people from installing one, the PAC said.

The initial roll-out saw many customers receive first-generation SMETS1 meters that lost function when they switched to a new supplier, meaning that their meters became analogue and they had to submit readings manually.

The government aimed to upgrade them to second-generation models that could work across suppliers, but as of May this year, around four million first-gen meters were still running.

The PAC report also found that around three million smart meters (9 per cent) were still not working properly and expressed concern about built-in obsolescence in those already installed. A further...