THE dubious benefits of smart meters, which are to be fitted for control of domestic electricity, are now, rightly, the subject of media attention.

Smart meters have long been a pet subject of the EU which has issued two directives and has a long- term plan to make smart meters mandatory.

Whether the expense of these meters is worth the savings is very doubtful, but few realise that the threat behind these meters is far greater.

Fiona Hall, MEP, revealed that the EU is planning meters which will monitor and remotely-control even individual household appliances.

It seems that our electricity bills will go up but, due to EU directives and regulations, control of our own lives will go down.

Paul Nuttall, UK Independence Party North West MEP.