Help For Fuel Bills Demanded By UK Charities
Fuel Bill Help Urgently Needed Due to Gas/Electricity Bills Rise
Government help for fuel bills has been demanded by consumer groups and charities following yet further announcements from two more leading energy providers explaining the increase in fuel prices for their customers. This almost ends a record round of fuel price increases – with another round due in the New Year.
Long Term Fuel Poverty Plan Needed Say Charities
Scottish Power and Npower have joined British Gas, EON, Scottish and Southern Energy and EDF by rising their prices substantially, and now charities campaigning against fuel poverty (those who spend more than 10% of their income on fuel) are worried that without a long term plan, the problem of fuel poverty will reach unmanageable proportions as the provision of help for fuel bills is ignored.
According to charity National Energy Action, 1 in 5 households will fall into the 10% of fuel poor, and together with Child Poverty Action and Age Concern, the charities are demanding immediate action from the UK Government.
UK Government ‘Looking at Extra Support’
John Hutton, the Government’s Business Secretary said this week in an interview for the Daily Telegraph that:
“The era of cheap energy is over. The question is how are we going to adjust to that and what sort of help can we provide to those who are going to struggle the most. There is genuine concern about the difficulties that people will face paying their heating bills over the coming winter and we are looking at extra support.”
This seems to have done little to reassure the charities campaigning for those needing help for fuel bills. In The Guardian today, Paul Dornan from Child Poverty Action said:
“The poorest families now face an urgent situation … The voluntary approach is failing and Government and the energy companies need a plan of action within weeks.”
What Help for Fuel Bills is Available Right Now?
Finding help for fuel bills is clearly a very important issue, and so here are previous Payplan Debt News articles discussing this issue and offering further advice to those who require fuel debt assistance:
The BBC website also contains useful information to those needing help for fuel bills:
Comments 4
We also will suffer this year with our fuel bills rising drastically, and having to use some of our monthly shopping money to foot the difference, leaving us with even less to live on after our bills are paid. These hikes are really hitting us hard, and there is nowhere to turn right now for a better deal. Every one of these fuel companies beg us to change to them with offers of better deals and cheaper prices than the rest, but there is no saving to be made. We are paying over £100 per month on gas and electricity alone. I have 2 children, 1 of whom is not even 2 so I have them to think about!
This whole situation is ridiculous, when people can’t even afford simple amenities any more. If half of the hot air that is blowing around with all this talk talk talk of helping out was actually pumped into the worst hit houses, they would be warm and snug all winter!
Hello Michelle
Yes, you’re right. It is one thing ‘talking’ about help for rising fuel bills and another actually getting the help. All I can suggest is, and I’m sure you’ve done this already, is to contact some of the organisations listed above and in our other posts to see if they can offer any financial support.
Also, have a re-think about how efficient your home is.
For example: using Economy 7 to set the laundry going in the night – ask your fuel supplier for E7 times – and if your washing machine doesn’t have a timer – buy a simple timer that you can plug into the wall socket.
Also consider energy efficient lightbulbs, which many supermarkets are currently offering at reduced prices.
I hope this has been of some help to you – it is not an easy time for many families at the moment – however, if you need support and advice for any debts that you have, then clearly Payplan can help you prioritise all your costs to perhaps relieve the pressure for you.
Kind Regards
Paul
Thank you for your reply Paul, but I am ahead of you there on all counts. We were on economy 7, but found it actually worked out more expensive as despite all our efforts we still need to use the washing machine in the day more than at night. We do have energy bulbs throughout the house, and we are actually clients of Payplan, and very happy with the service.
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