Contact joins charities calling on PM candidates for immediate help for families

2 mins read

Friday 26 August 2022

Tags: energy costs, cost of living crisis, out of energy, Cost of living inquiry

Contact, Scope and Together for Short Lives have today published an open letter to the Conservative Party Leadership candidates calling for urgent action to address the mounting hardship facing families caring for disabled children.

Read our letter to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, which over 80 organisations have signed.

Like many across the UK, families with disabled children face the alarming news announced by Ofgem earlier today that the energy price cap – the maximum amount utility companies can charge customers on standard tariffs – will go up to £3,549 from October for households in England, Scotland and Wales.

We’re asking both candidates – Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss – to agree on a package of financial support for families immediately. There is no time to delay. We need urgent action now, before the Conservative leadership election concludes.

Contact’s Out of Energy research shows that families with disabled children are already paying almost double that of an average UK household on their energy bills.

Amanda Batten, Chief Executive of Contact, said: “We are hearing from more and more families struggling with spiralling costs. The package of support announced by government earlier this year was welcome, but the families we support need further targeted financial help and right away.”

Take part in our Cost of Living Inquiry

Contact is asking families to complete an updated energy survey as part of our Cost of Living Inquiry. We will use the evidence to campaign for further financial support for families with disabled children.

Take part today.