People are being forced to buy goods in shops when trying to top up their energy meter at PayPoints in shops, an MSP has said.

Bob Doris, Maryhill and Springburn SNP MSP, said it is happening in Glasgow and he asked the First Minister about it.

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PayPoint told him there is no requirement for customers to make a purchase to access the service and shops should not be asking them to.

He said it is “unacceptable” and is adding extra costs to people struggling with bills.

Doris said a constituent was “told to make an in-store purchase ahead of using a PayPoint facility to top up their energy meter”.

He added: “PayPoint has confirmed to me that that should never happen, and it has contacted the business in question.”

The MSP asked Nicola Sturgeon at First Minister’s Questions if she agreed “where unacceptable practices exist, such as the one that I have just highlighted, they should be reported swiftly and acted upon?”

He added: “My constituent’s experience highlights yet again the barriers and vulnerabilities that many people who use prepayment meters face.”

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The First Minister said wider action on prepayment meters was needed.

She said: “I am aware of similar issues, and I urge people to raise their concerns with advice agencies and their energy providers to get the necessary advice and support.

“However, because such issues relate to a reserved matter it is incumbent on the United Kingdom Government to take further action on prepayment meters.

“Forcing people onto those meters, in particular for small amounts of debt during winter, makes matters worse for people, not better, and is more likely to increase debt and leave people unable to heat their homes.

“I urge the UK Government to respond to that concern and to listen to the many calls to ban energy companies from being able to force people onto the use of prepayment meters.”

Meanwhile, MPs on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee at the House of Commons will ask about the treatment of households and businesses by suppliers and reports of a jump in the number of homes forced onto more expensive prepayment meters.

It will also question the energy regulator Ofgem, on the impacts of continuing high energy prices.