THE launch of a new type of gas and electricity meter that will reach Ludlow and south Shropshire in 2017 will help people to take more control of their energy bills.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne has welcomed the launch of the Smart Energy GB campaign for the national smart meter rollout.

The rollout is a technology upgrade, unprecedented in scale, to improve the country’s energy infrastructure and digitise the way people buy and use gas and electricity.

This not-for-profit campaign aims to help people learn how to use new smart meters to get their gas and electricity under control.

Smart meters will bring consumers accurate bills at no additional cost, and greater control over their gas and electricity. The amount of gas and electricity used will, for the first time, be shown in pounds and pence and in near real time.

With this information consumers will know exactly how much the next bill will be, and can make informed choices about their energy use. The out-dated system of manual meter readings and estimation will come to an end, and the inconvenient prepayment system will be revolutionised.

“Smart meters will give us much more control of what we spend on gas and electricity, and finally put an end to estimated bills,” said Philip Dunne.

"I’m looking forward to the rollout to residents in the Ludlow constituency expected from 2017.

“With almost two million already installed in homes and businesses across Britain, if constituents haven’t heard of them yet, they soon will.

Almost two million smart meters have already been installed, and between now and 2020 everyone across England, Scotland and Wales will be offered a smart meter by their energy supplier at no extra cost.

To find out when you can upgrade and how you can get a smart meter, contact your energy supplier or visit www.smartenergyGB.org/get-a-smart-meter