Charity forced to double energy bill financial support

Fuel Bank Foundation says it has been ‘forced to take action’ by doubling the support it provides to vulnerable consumers due to the government not providing any additional energy bill help this winter.

The chroty which provides emergency fuel vouchers for struggling households with prepayment meters (PPMs), has increased the amount of financial support it is providing, costing it an additional £2.2 million.

The increase will keep meters topped up for longer during the winter months, when energy demands are highest. In January, an £89 prepayment meter top up will provide around ten days’ worth of heat, light and power for the average household, compared to just over five days for £49.

Energy prices have remained stubbornly high. The average energy bill is currently around £2,000 a year, with those who prepay having to pay an extra £313 to keep warm over winter, compared to those who pay by direct debit. The cost-of-living crisis is also heaping further financial stress on household budgets.

With the Government failing to provide targeted energy bill support for low income and vulnerable households, Fuel Bank Foundation says it has been forced to take action to keep people safe and warm this winter.

Matthew Cole, head of Fuel Bank Foundation said “Millions of households are still struggling with higher fuel and food bills, higher mortgage and rent payments, and paying off previously accrued debts. Without targeted energy bill support from the Government, budgets will be at breaking point.

“Recognising this, we wanted to do something meaningful to help those who are going to struggle this winter. Increasing the value of our winter fuel vouchers was the obvious choice. Before the energy crisis, a £49 fuel voucher provided around seven days’ worth of credit on a meter, but as fuel costs increased, this reduced to between three and five days, meaning we were providing less support for the same money.”