The planned changes to the Radio Teleswitch Service have been slowed down to ensure homes have the time to have new energy meters installed.

The service uses BBC radio frequencies to automatically switch households onto different, and often cheaper, electricity rates, was introduced in the 1980s.

It was set to be turned off on 30 June as part of the rollout of smart meters. But the slow progress by energy companies in installing new meters has led to the government now introducing a new phased approach to the switch.

It is the third time the planned changes have been delayed, with the implementation first due for completion in 2023.

Many charities, like Tighean Insse Gall – a charity partly funded by British Gas Energy Trust and helping vulnerable people across the Western Isles in Scotland – had voiced concerns about the progress to date.

More than 300,000 homes across the UK are still using the service, with the energy companies now told by government to focus on the rollout in Scotland where more than 100,000 RTS meters are still in use. A large majority of the homes in the Western Isles currently rely on the service – but only a handful of homes had seen meters replaced by an engineer.

Minister for Energy Consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh, said: “We have stepped in to ensure that thousands of vulnerable consumers with RTS meters do not experience any sudden disruption…I will be watching suppliers closely to make sure they are doing everything they can to make sure the transition is as smooth as possible.”

Affected customers will be contacted by their energy providers in preparation for new meters being installed, as appointments will need to be set. In most cases, a smart meter will be fitted.

Find out more information about the Radio Teleswitch Service via the Ofgem website.