The cryptography used in one of the most widely used smart meter standards is leaving millions of homes vulnerable to cyber attack. Boffins at the University of Passau in Germany have demonstrated that The European Telecommunications Standards Institute’s ‘Open Smart Grid Protocol’, is deeply flawed and can easily be comprised.

The worrying security flaw has come to light as pressure is mounting on the new government to abandon Ed Miliband’s £11bn Smart Meter Program. It is particularly concerning given DECC’s lack of control of the smart meter data, following their refusal to implement a data standard. Is there a more worthy candidate for Osborne’s newly sharpened axe?