The real purpose behind smart meters has nothing to do with sparing the consumer the "onerous" task of reading the meter but more to do with the inevitable variable charge rate which is coming down the line. The carrot will be the promise of cheap off-peak electricity but the stick will be the exorbitant charge during peak times which working people will be unable to avoid. This is because the peak times will be deemed to be between 6.00 and 8.00am and 5.00 to 7.00pm. A case of giving with one hand but taking a lot more away with the other. Now where have we heard that before.....?