Calls intensify for energy social tariff

2 mins read

Friday 25 August 2023

Tags: energy bills, heating, price cap, social tariff

The average annual energy bill will drop to £1,923 in October for households in England, Scotland and Wales, the UK energy industry watchdog Ofgem has announced.

The energy price cap is the maximum amount energy companies can charge customers on standard tariffs for each unit of energy. The cap has been £2,074 since July, when it fell below the government’s energy price guarantee.

The energy price cap is not a cap on your total bill. While the maximum unit cost fixes the average bill at £1,923, any household with above-average energy usage will see their bill surpass this. This includes many families with disabled children.

Families paying almost double but can’t cut back

Commenting on today’s announcement, Una Summerson, Head of Campaigns at Contact, says:

“Families will welcome a drop in energy costs, but our Out of energy research shows that families disabled children are paying almost double that of an average UK household on their energy bills.

“Essential equipment like ventilators, food pumps and hoists, as well as more washing due to continence issues or more heating due to mobility issues, all add up to bigger bills. And for many it could be dangerous to cut back on usage.”

The government is failing by not introducing a social tariff

Like other charities and families themselves, we would like to see energy social tariff introduced.  

Una continues:

“A social tariff would give discounted energy prices to disabled people, older people and carers facing high energy costs.  It’s incredibly disappointing that the government has up until now failed to take steps to do this. We urge government to act and protect families who face higher energy bills due to disability costs.”

Worried about your household bills?

If you’re worried about how you’re going to pay your bills, talk to your energy supplier.

You might be able to change your payment plan, and you should register as a vulnerable customer to ensure you don’t get disconnected.

Visit our cost of living pages for lots more advice.

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