The way debt is transferred for prepayment Consumers is neither fit for purpose nor Consumer-centric and there is currently no mechanism to transfer credit balances when a Switch occurs. The Debt Assignment Protocol (DAP) process is complex and cumbersome. Despite automation and streamlining implemented in 2019, DAP is not being used to the extent that it was designed for. Domestic Consumers with legacy Prepayment Meters or Smart Meters in prepayment mode are disadvantaged in their ability to actively engage in the market which is believed to be due to the complexity of DAP. The DAP process was not designed for, nor has it been reviewed, to specifically consider Smart Meters. Consumers with Smart Meters operating in prepayment mode currently have any credit (calculated at the Switch date) refunded to them by the Losing Supplier. A refund can take up to 2 weeks after the final account position is determined - which can be up to 6 weeks after the Switch itself. The Consumer must top up the meter with the Gaining Supplier once the Switch has completed. This creates a cashflow issue for Consumers, including vulnerable Consumers, which may be seen as unnecessary. It is detrimental to Consumers to have credit removed from the meter. Under the current economic conditions, with the associated increasing energy prices, it is imperative that Consumers, particularly vulnerable Consumers, have access to their money rather than needing to top up again to cover the energy used during the Losing Supplier’s refund process or if required seek support from their new Supplier. In addition, across debt and credit neither balance transfer process has been reviewed in consideration of the faster more reliable switching requirements. There is therefore a need to review the balance transfer processes in full, with a view to developing an agile, efficient, Consumer-centric solution for smart and with aligned improvements to the non-smart processes.