It's relatively new and is a lovely way for utilities companies to side step the rules on cutting people off. They advertise it as an option for people so they have more control over their spending when in reality it has a higher unit charge and is targeted at people who are likely to be financially struggling or close to it.

So what happens is it can just shut off when you haven't paid yet. I work in utilities and I have dealt with literally thousands of homes and these are always in impoverished and working class areas where if the people were to be on a standard policy they would have protections against cut off due to non payment.

This isn't meant as any disrespect to the guy above, I know two sentences about him and that all, just my view of this bullshit.

In some places, you pay for utilities before using them, and they shut you fuck off right in the middle of the month if you've used it up. :/

I would not want to miss the feeling of getting up at 3 am to put a farthing in the meter to keep the room above freezing.