Cold winter in store for many who can’t pay energy bills

New research suggests that even those in work are struggling to find the funds to heat their homes.

Turning off heating is the only way some can cope with energy bills (Getty Images)

Half of low-income households are struggling to afford to heat their homes, despite residents being in work. Worrying new research published today by the benefits charity Turn2us reveals that among the hardest workers hit are people with disabilities and families, with around two-thirds of each finding it difficult to pay energy bills.

There are 2.3 million households living in fuel poverty in England alone according to the latest official figures, and it’s estimated that nearly half of them are in work.

But many aren’t just in fuel poverty, meaning they’re struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills, a third say they have skipped meals and two-fifths are struggling with other essential bills, the charity warns.

Meanwhile, more than a fifth say the worries over being able to afford to heat their home has led to them experiencing stress and other mental health problems. And the threatened Tory tax credit cuts are only serving to make the situation worse for struggling workers ahead of the long winter.

In fact, as the weather turns colder low income workers say they will be forced to take drastic action to cope with energy costs through the winter. Of those households worried about heating their home, 71 per cent feel they will have to cut back on or not use their heating, while 44 per cent said they would resort to cutting back on food. Either action could have a disastrous impact on people’s health.

Despite their problems, only 12 per cent of struggling workers have told their energy supplier, and only 5 per cent have turned to an advice organisation.

Simon Hopkins, chief executive of Turn2us said: “Our research reveals the extent to which households are struggling to heat their homes, even though they’re in work.” He said more needs to be done to help raise awareness of the financial support and other help available to people on low incomes to help them manage their energy costs.

There is a wide variety of financial help available for those struggling to meet heating bills, from energy company grants or government help with the cost of improving the energy efficiency of often old properties.

But there’s an alarming lack of awareness of the help available, the charity claims. Its research reveals that three-quarters of struggling workers have not checked their eligibility for welfare benefits in the last 12 months, while four out of five are unaware that some energy suppliers have charitable trusts set up to help certain customers.

Turn2us is today launching its No Cold Homes campaign to help more people who are unable to afford to heat their homes. The charity is encouraging anyone in financial hardship – or anyone who knows someone who is struggling – to use its free online service to see if they are eligible for welfare benefits, charitable grants and other support that could help them survive with a healthier, warmer home this winter.

“We know that this is an issue that affects a wide range of people, and alongside working households, many others will suffer this winter,” said Mr Hopkins.

“We believe that no one should have to live in a cold home.”

Case study - Linda didn’t know about all the help available


 Linda (right) – with her granddaughters Chloe and Tierney – found support through Turn2us she didn’t know existed 
 (Gary Calton)

I’m a self-employed cleaner living in Scarborough. I have three grandchildren living with me but I was struggling to afford decent furniture so I went on to the internet to see if there was any help available.

I came across the Turn2us website, where I found the benefits calculator really helpful and very easy to use. It identified some new options I didn’t realise I could apply for, such as housing benefit, child benefit, working tax credit and child tax credits.

I wasn’t sure whether I was eligible for any grants as a grandparent rather than a parent, but a Turn2us adviser explained my options and helped put me on the right kind of road by identifying the charities that I could approach.

I then went to the local Citizens Advice Bureau, which was really helpful in handling the grant applications for me. It has made a big difference. I now have a cooker provided by the housing association, beds paid for by Children in Need, and I have also been given a sofa and large rug for the living room by a local charity.

Where to go for more help

The No Cold Homes campaign runs until 16 December. As part of the campaign, the charity is hosting an online celebrity clothes auction from 30 November until 9 December to raise awareness. For details of the charity auction go to turn2us.org.uk/NoColdHomes or just to use the benefits calculator or search for grants go to turn2us.org.uk

For details about the help handed out by the British Gas Energy Trust, which makes grants to people in energy debt – and not just British Gas customers – call 0800 072 8625 or go to britishgasenergytrust.org.uk

For more information about the Warm Home Discount Scheme run by energy companies call 0800 33 66 99 or visit homeheathelpline.org.uk