Some two million people expect to have their energy supplies cut off this winter because they can’t afford to pay their bills, according to a survey published by Citizens Advice this week. The findings are backed up by our own experience, as adviceline lead Jade Craswell explains:
‘We’re seeing more and more people seeking help with their fuel bills this winter across Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Powys. And fuel poverty can be an even bigger problem in some of the rural areas in which we work. The survey makes for hard reading but the truth in the statistics cannot be ignored.’
Practical help for people in crisis
Our expert adviceline team works with people in crisis every day, helping households take charge of their energy use and manage often-crippling bills. The team triages callers and gives personalised advice depending on their needs, ranging from simple energy saving measures people can take right now, to setting up a home visit from an adviser working locally.
‘Energy advisers are local experts in a neighbourhood, with knowledge of the grants that residents may be eligible for, and experienced in thinking on their feet to help with whatever situation they find. We’ve had an adviser going in expecting to help read an energy bill and leaving having organised help getting shoes for the kids.’
‘Unaffordable energy bills don’t just mean being cold; for the very young, older people or those with health issues it can be a matter of life or death. And every statistic in that report represents a person in need.’
