MS highlights energy help for households

As many households struggle with cost-of-living increases, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood is urging residents to check if they are entitled to additional support with household energy costs. 

Yesterday (10 January), Mr Isherwood met with British Gas, and parent-company Centrica, together with Jessica Taplin, Chief Executive of the Gas Energy Trust, to discuss the help and support available to households.

Centirca /British Gas has stepped in to take on more than 700,000 customers from firms that have gone out of business in the last year, and has committed to donating 10% of British Gas profits to the Trust to enable them to provide additional support and grants to vulnerable households.

British Gas currently helps around 300,000 customers each year manage debt, including giving them more time to pay bills. In addition, the British Gas Energy Trust delivers advice and support services for customers, and last year provided over a million pounds of debt relief in Wales, with £2.4 million gained in household incomes from advice and support. Importantly, you do not need to be a British Gas customer to seek support from the British Gas Energy Trust.

Mr Isherwood said:

“It is really important that people are aware of the support that is available and which can help them manage household finances. Regardless of who your energy supplier is, I’d encourage people to speak to their energy supplier if they are starting to struggle, and find out if they are able to access support from organisations like the British Gas Energy Trust.”

British Gas engineer, Mark Dineen, said:

"As an engineer visiting customer homes, I hear every day how the rising costs of living, coupled with increasing cost of energy, are putting more households under pressure. People need extra support now more than ever. Help is at hand and people should contact their energy supplier to make sure they’re receiving the support that is available – whether that is being added to the Priority Services Register or accessing grants, like those available through the British Gas Energy Trust, to remove the debt burden some households face.”

Jessica Taplin Chief Executive at British Gas Energy Trust said:

“If you’re struggling with energy or wider debt it’s incredibly difficult to know where to turn, but support is out there.  The Energy Support Fund was a new fund established in 2022 as a direct response to the increasing cost of living & energy costs. Through the Trust’s grant programmes thousands of households in fuel poverty can access grants £250 to £1,500 to help them with energy bills. If you are struggling with domestic gas and electricity debts owed to British Gas or other suppliers, and are in fuel poverty you can apply for a grant or seek support from one of the many charities we fund to provide money & energy advice.”