//I blame the government for putting pressure on the suppliers.//
In fact, you should blame the EU for putting pressure on the government:
https://setis.ec.europa.eu/publications/setis-magazine/smart-grids/meter-steering-implementation-of-smart-metering-solutions
To save you wading through pages of drivel:
"In Directive 2009/72/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity (also known as the 3rd Electricity Directive), the European Commission instructed Member States to strongly recommend that electricity companies optimize the use of electricity through, inter alia, the introduction of intelligent metering systems or smart grids."
This is also interesting (from the same document):
"Generally speaking, smart metering solutions involve the use of advanced meters and integrated communications systems, they provide the possibility of bi-directional communication between the consumer and the supplier..."
Which is code for "the supplier will be able to control your meter and, if he wishes, operate a differential pricing regime. This will enable him to charge you more to illuminate your house when it is dark and more to heat it when it is cold."
There is nothing in a smart meter for the consumer (other than a nice digital clock which some of them display for you to put on your mantlepiece). If you need a device to tell you that your electricity bill will increase at a greater rate if you switch the light on than if you left it off, you shouldn't be out on your own.