Following today’s Ofgem announcement that average energy bills are set to rise by 10% from October, Christians Against Poverty’s Chief Executive Officer, Stewart McCulloch has voiced the charity’s concerns.
With energy prices set to remain high, CAP is keen to work with the new Government to put in place long term and targeted support so that everyone can afford to keep warm and safe.
Stewart McCulloch, Chief Executive Officer
Stewart McCulloch said: “Almost half our clients already face the devastating reality of not having enough to pay for their basic needs, including energy costs.
“With the average household’s energy bill set to rise by £149 to over £1,700 per year from October this has the potential to push even more to breaking point. Daily, we see families forced to live in cold, unlit homes, unable to cook a warm meal because they can’t afford the cost of gas or electricity.
“But we don’t have to accept this. With energy prices set to remain high, CAP is keen to work with the new Government to put in place long term and targeted support so that everyone can afford to keep warm and safe.
“A key element of this would be the creation of a dedicated ‘Help to Repay’ scheme to support people struggling to repay energy arrears.
“The brutal consequences for people’s health and wellbeing of being unable to afford to pay for energy have now become too serious to ignore.”
