Following the concerning new forecasts that energy bills could hit £3,850 next year with concerns that vulnerable households might miss out on the £400 payment, Sopra Steria argues that the Government needs to do more to identify these vulnerable households and offer continual support in accessible ways.
Craig Wilson – Managing Director of Private Sector at Sopra Steria said: “A growing number of households in the UK are feeling the squeeze financially. This is only set to worsen with forecasts suggesting inflation will peak at 11% in October, along with new warnings that energy bills could hit £3,850 next year and could become the norm into 2024. As such, many people have had to resort to personal debt and credit putting them in a highly vulnerable financial position.
“A new report by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee calls on the Government to update its energy bills support to help the most exposed households. Although the Government did announce some helpful measures earlier in the year, such as doubling the energy bills discount due to come in from October to £400, this does not sufficiently target low-income households and those in vulnerable circumstances.
“With more households than ever on the brink of spiralling debt, we welcome the calls by the BEIS Committee asking the Government to work with energy suppliers to develop a scheme to help households pay off debts over a longer period. As well as this, the report highlights the need for a new discounted social tariff for vulnerable customers but more needs to be done to identify vulnerable households in order to make this work. What’s clear is that the cost-of-living crisis is an ever-changing situation so it’s important that the Government continue to listen to the needs of the most vulnerable and provide support in tangible and accessible ways.”
