Help with energy bills

As the cost of gas and electricity has soared, the number of families struggling to make ends meet has increased dramatically. To counter the surge in poverty and hardship that has resulted from rising energy costs, a range of support measures were put in place to support people struggling with their living costs. One such set of measures has been support schemes provided by energy suppliers. Whilst such schemes pre-date the cost-of-living crisis, the recent surge in energy prices has seen their importance increase significantly. This project sets out to look at the strengths and weaknesses of these schemes.

Aims 

The aims of the project are:

• To provide an overview of the emergency and ongoing support with energy costs provided to low-income households by energy suppliers.
• To identify strengths and weaknesses in the suppliers’ offers, including whether the scale is appropriate to need.
• To make recommendations for change.

What we’re doing? 

• A desk-based review of the support schemes offered by energy suppliers as publicised on their websites.
• Hosting workshops with advice and support organisations on their experiences of helping clients to access the schemes.
• Developing recommendations for change.

Outputs

• Help with energy bills: experiences in Wales
• Help gyda biliau ynni: Profiadau yng Nghymru

Outcomes

• The work has been referenced in the Senedd on a number of occasions including by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.
• The Welsh Government has raised the findings of our work with the UK Government, calling on the UK Government to work with OFGEM to take action to implement the report’s recommendations. 

Funders

This project is funded by the Trussell Trust