Tell us about your extra energy costs for our Cost of Living Inquiry

2 mins read

Tuesday 23 August 2022

Today, we’re launching our new Cost of Living Inquiry.

Over the next year, we’ll be tracking how soaring household bills and low wages impact on families with disabled children.

Our Out of Energy research found that families with disabled children were already paying £600 more on their energy bills before the April 2022 price increase.

Now, we are asking you again to answer questions about your extra energy costs. With a new Prime Minister and Autumn Budget on the way, this is your chance to have your say on what would help your family cope with exceptional increases in energy prices.

The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. There is an opportunity at the end to win three £100 vouchers as a thank you for taking part.

The deadline is Monday 5 September at 9am.

How will the Cost of Living Inquiry run?

A key part of the Inquiry will be to give parents and disabled young people a platform to speak to MPs and decision makers. One way we will do this is by running some special hearings in Parliament.

The Inquiry will also be an opportunity to make suggestions on what government and energy companies should do to help all families with disabled children with their extra costs.

The first part of the Inquiry is focusing on energy cost. Later in the year, we will ask for evidence on how care and disability impacts on paid employment.

We also want to hear from parents on what else the Inquiry should investigate, such as levels of Carer’s Allowance.

Will the Inquiry make a difference?

Our Out of Energy campaign contributed to making the government act in May by announcing a cost of living package. This included, for the first time, a £150 disability payment.

But we know the package was not enough to help meet the unprecedented rises in energy costs that families are experiencing. We think with your help we can make government act again, and we hope this time they will go further.

More cost of living support

See our cost of living advice page for all our information on help with extra costs.