The energy regulator Ofgem found that British Gas installed prepayment meters without consent in some homes between 2018 and 2021, including properties deemed vulnerable.

The findings followed a lengthy investigation by the regulator, which has described the case as one of its most complex to date.

Tim Jarvis, chief executive of Ofgem, said: “It is clear that British Gas fell short in its treatment of an unacceptable number of vulnerable customers who had a prepayment meter installed without consent, and it’s right that they’ve taken action to put things right.

“Because of our action customers will receive a substantial package of redress, compensation and debt write off.”

As part of the settlement, British Gas will write off up to £70 million of energy debt for vulnerable customers.

The £20 million compensation covers customers who were impacted between 2018 and 2021, in addition to payments already made to those affected in 2022 and 2023.

Chris O’Shea, group chief executive of Centrica, which owns British Gas, said: “What happened should never have happened, and I am sorry to the prepayment customers who were affected.

“When we get things wrong, we make them right.

“When these issues came to light in 2023, we apologised, stopped the activity immediately and took rapid action to improve our processes and change how we engage with customers in debt, particularly those in vulnerable situations.

“Over the last three years, we have treated this matter with the seriousness it deserves and have made changes to our practices and put safeguards in place to ensure we deliver the standards our customers have every right to expect.”

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, added: “British Gas has finally been held to account for the forced pre-payment meters scandal.

“The results of the Ofgem investigation are truly shocking.

“They have confirmed that British Gas knew about these failings as far back as 2018, was warned again in 2021, and still did not take adequate action.

“That means the firm knowingly forced prepayment meters onto customers, potentially including those with disabilities and families with young children.

“While the £20 million fine, combined with up to £70 million in debt write-offs, is a significant outcome to the investigation, it should not be mistaken for the end of this story.”

The Office for Rail and Road has approved Great Western Railway’s application to run a daily two-hourly direct rail service between the three places on weekdays and Saturdays.

The new service, which is hoped may become hourly in the future, builds on a Saturday trial of the new route.

The approved service is subject to Network Rail implementing level crossing safety measures.

A spokesman for the Office for Rail and Road said the two-hourly weekday and Saturday services between Oxford, Swindon and Bristol is effective from May 2026 to December 2027.

A Great Western Railway service (Image: Supplied)

He said this was agreed after analysing information and representations about the “impact on punctuality and reliability” as well as level crossing safety.

“However, this is subject to Network Rail first deciding upon and implementing reasonably practicable level crossing safety measures,” the Office for Rail and Road spokesman added.

“Network Rail will undertake a performance review of the two-hourly service before deciding on a long-term view on GWR’s proposal to run hourly services.”

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Great Western Railways’ spokesman said customers will be “disappointed” that the Office for Rail and Road fell short of agreeing to proposals to fully reinstate services.

“We will continue working closely with Network Rail and industry partners to understand what more can be done to introduce additional services as quickly and safely as possible,” he added.

There are no direct services between Oxford and Swindon. While there are frequent trains, passengers need to change at Didcot Parkway or Reading to travel between the two stations.

That extends what could be a short journey to more than 40 minutes as a minimum.

The approximately 30 mile drive to the Wiltshire town from Oxford takes roughly an hour down the A420 depending on traffic.

Swindon has frequently appeared in the annual ‘top 50 worst places to live in England’ list by satirical website ILiveHere.co.uk, ranking as high as eighth in 2023.

But despite this, studies have shown that a Oxford to Swindon corridor would deliver “substantial” economic, environmental and social benefits.

Susan Brown, Oxford City Council leader (Image: Oxford City Council)

It’s largely believed that by opening up a direct railway link, traffic congestion would be relieved on the A420 from Oxford city centre to Swindon.

Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, previously said: “A direct Oxford to Swindon rail service is very welcome news for Oxford.

“It would connect Oxford to the West and Bristol with a direct, reliable and sustainable public transport option, essential for supporting businesses, attracting investment and giving people better choices for commuting and leisure.”

Nadine Mitschunas from near Wallingford is one of three people whose gardens are in the running for the ‘Best of the best’ edition of the garden of the year awards.

This year’s competition, the 10th, has a unique twist: every contender is a previous finalist, bringing together standout gardens from the last decade of the awards.

Ms Mitschunas was nominated by the magazine’s readers alongside Pam Woodall from Dorset, as well as Jo and Andi Butler from Shropshire.

She was previously the 2021 Judge’s Choice winner.

Nadine Mitschunas from near Wallingford (Image: BBC Gardeners World)

Representing a broad range of gardening styles from across the country, each of the finalist gardens shows creativity, dedication and a passion for plants.

The overall winner will be chosen by a panel of expert judges, to be announced in the October issue of BBC Gardeners’ World.

The panel includes garden designer and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, Arit Anderson; garden designer and author, Ann-Marie Powell, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine content director, Kevin Smith, and head gardener at Crocus, Ashley Edwards.

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Mr Smith said: “Reaching the top three is a huge achievement, especially in this special anniversary year.

“These gardens truly represent the very best from the past decade and showcase the creativity, dedication and passion of our readers. Choosing a winner from such an exceptional group won’t be easy.”

Nadine Mitschunas finalist in Gardeners World magazine Gardens of the Year 2021 competition GOTY 190721 19072021 19/07/21 19/07/2021 19 19th July 2021 Summer location Oxfordshire photographer Jason Ingram (Image: Jason Ingram)

BBC Gardeners’ World previously said about Ms Mitschunas’ garden: “This really is a garden for our times, reflecting the care that so many gardeners have poured into creating spaces for wildlife to thrive.

“Our winner has achieved this to a high level of perfection but not forgotten the need to make an atmospheric space to simply live in and enjoy.

“With mostly plants rather than landscaping used to create the space, it’s a thrifty and achievable blueprint for many others to follow.”

Ms Mitschunas works as a pollinator ecologist and started to cultivate her overgrown and unloved plot in 2010.

Last year, the BBC reported that Ms Mitschunas was the UK’s first rice grower.

The crops in her four small paddy fields were able to grow due to the hottest summer on record last year.

She said: “Nobody has tried this before, but with climate change, we have crops that, 10 years ago, we wouldn’t have thought would be viable.

“In 10 years time, rice could be a completely perfect crop for us.”

The experiment was the idea of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

“I’m actually amazed because they are big, happy, bushy plants,” she added.