Press release: Ahead of the Autumn Statement, CAP calls for a new energy repayment scheme to prevent families from going cold this winter.
Predictions for the Autumn Statement suggest more tough times may be ahead and help needs to be put in place to protect those most in need.
The Autumn Statement 2024 date is Wednesday, 30 October.
Debt coaches share emotional plea to MPs about reality of living in poverty
Ahead of the Autumn Statement, UK free debt advice charity, Christians Against Poverty, (CAP) is calling on the Government to provide urgent help to households with energy arrears to make sure nobody is terrified to turn on their heating this winter.
Christians Against Poverty’s Chief Executive Officer, Stewart McCulloch, said, “We’re seriously concerned that many families on low incomes, already in energy arrears, are living in cold properties and struggling to afford to cook hot meals.
“Energy costs are one of our clients’ biggest fears and this month’s price rise is another huge blow to people who already can’t afford their electricity and gas.
“Around half of the people we’re helping don’t have enough income to cover their basic needs and are living on a deficit budget. On average, they’re around £273 short of what they need each month just to pay for their essentials.
“The local churches we partner with are the lifeline for families in poverty right now. Our incredible frontline CAP debt coaches are stepping in the gap every day to provide critical face to face aid, including emergency energy top ups for those in crisis.
“They see first hand the devastation high costs of essentials are causing for families who are already facing extremely traumatic and heartbreaking life circumstances.
“Ahead of the Autumn Statement, our message to the UK Government and MPs from all political parties is to choose people over politics, listen to families living in poverty and take brave action to protect them from the cold this winter.
“We know the Government has really hard financial decisions to make but they also have the power to make policy decisions that positively change the lives of millions of people in the UK currently living in poverty.”
Ahead of the Autumn Statement 2024 release, CAP is calling for the Government to:
Introduce an energy support scheme - CAP is calling for a dedicated ‘help to repay’ energy scheme, created to support people struggling to afford their energy bills. As part of this scheme, people would be able to access full debt relief and have their bills written off if it was deemed they had no viable way of repaying what they owed.
Reduce debt deduction rates — Make debt deduction rates from benefits more affordable and ensure they don’t impact someone’s ability to afford their essentials.
Create liveable incomes for everyone — Review the rate of social security and minimum wage to ensure a floor is set so that people receive a protected minimum amount, ensuring no one is pushed into deprivation.
