Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition (EFPC) has issued a warning that the energy crisis could leave 8.5 million households unable to heat and power their homes. The group, which represents almost 50 organisations, claims that cold homes cost lives and that more frail and older people could die next winter without further action from the Chancellor in his Economic Statement in March.
The campaigners are pleading with the Government to cut bills for the most vulnerable households comes as wholesale prices soar due to the Ukrainian conflict – with stark predictions that energy bills across Great Britain could increase to £3,000 per annum.
Adam Scorer, Chief Executive of fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) comments “When energy bills hit £2,000 a year there will be over 6.5 million UK households in fuel poverty. Analysts suggest the war in Ukraine could drive average bills to £3,000 per year. This could leave 8.5 million UK households in fuel poverty denied a warm safe home. This is a disaster and inevitably, will lead to more needless winter deaths. Government must address the scale of the problem and use the upcoming Economic Statement in March to cut energy bills much further for the poorest. It must act now, to protect the most vulnerable, and to save lives.”
Age UK also highlighted how cold homes threaten the frailest in society and the crisis should prompt a re-think about the adequacy of the UK Government’s support package for those on the lowest incomes.
Age UK’s Charity Director Caroline Abrahams, said “Energy price rises have pushed older people’s budgets to breaking point, with many going without heating for weeks over the winter. The impact on their health and wellbeing is likely to be devastating, just as it seemed we and the NHS were getting some respite after two years of a pandemic. The support the Government have announced is nowhere near enough. How are those on the lowest incomes, who already struggle to afford the essentials, going to find an extra £350 to cover their energy bills, on top of all the other increases in the cost of living? We are really concerned about those using prepayment meters – typically a more expensive way to pay for your energy – and how many will ration and disconnect from their supply. With further increases expected in the autumn, and uncertainty intensified by the invasion of Ukraine, the Chancellor must do more to help and ensure that those on low and modest incomes can afford to stay warm without worrying sick about their bills.”
The charities say the impacts of cold homes on the most vulnerable people are well known to the UK Government but without more support, the situation will prompt more needless deaths next winter.
Simon Francis, Spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said “Ending fuel poverty is a public health necessity and a national security priority. Based on World Health Organisation modelling, an estimated 80 frail and elderly people die prematurely every day across the UK each winter. Unless more support can be provided, the scale of these tragic needless deaths will grow and cause even further devastation to other poorer households. We need urgent help for households in fuel poverty now combined with a long-term plan to improve energy efficiency of our homes and a sustainable, renewable-led, energy mix.”