Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
As the Government’s £400 energy rebate hits people’s accounts this month, new research from Opinium finds that positively more than four in five (83%) think it will help them financially.
However, the research suggests that, for a significant proportion, the rebate may not be quite enough to enable people to be comfortable this Winter as energy costs rise. Over a third (36%) say they won’t be able to turn their heating on for longer– despite receiving the rebate – while almost a fifth (18%) still won’t be able to use more hot water, and 17% don’t think they will be able to use appliances such as a gas cooker more. Additionally, 10% don’t think the rebate will help them at all.
Over half (55%) feel that the government should be doing a lot more to support households financially, such as imposing a windfall tax on energy companies (56%), further lowering the price cap on bills (50%), cutting VAT on bills (48%), offering more generous benefits to lower income households (41%) or giving a higher energy bill discount than £400 to all households (40%).
Alexa Nightingale, Head of Financial Services research at Opinium said “The energy rebate, which is being delivered to households this month, is undeniably going to provide some level of much-needed financial aid to many households. However, given the soaring energy prices, along with a £2,500 energy cap, the £400 rebate on its own is not going to be enough for people to financially cope this winter.”
“Even with the rebate, many people will be left struggling to heat their homes properly and many will still need to restrict their energy usage. There is clearly consumer demand for further initiatives to support households during this tough period – and given the Chancellor’s recent announcement that energy support will be reviewed by the government next April, many will be waiting to see what this will mean for them and their families in the future.”
