The Money Advice Trust has today welcomed measures outlined
in the Chancellor’s Budget to help households struggling with
rising energy costs, including the extending of the Energy Price
Guarantee, but has called for more support to help people who are
already behind on their energy bills.
Findings from a survey of callers to the charity’s National
Debtline service show that a quarter (25 percent) of respondents
are already behind on their energy bills, and 62 percent are
worried about being able to afford their energy costs.
Joanna Elson CBE, chief executive of the Money Advice
Trust, the charity that runs National
Debtline and Business
Debtline, said:
“This Budget gives households some much-needed certainty on
energy costs beyond April – and the decision to bring pre-payment
energy meter costs in line with direct debits is also welcome, if
long overdue.
“The hope of inflation falling so significantly this year will
come as a relief to those struggling – but for many households
the damage is already done. Millions who are already behind
on their energy and other bills are going to need further support
to get through this cost-of-living crisis.
“The government should consider dedicated funding to write off
energy debts for people facing unaffordable repayments, and
payment matching to help people pay off their debts more quickly
– to help the millions worrying about what the months ahead will
bring.
“I would encourage anyone worried about their finances to contact
National Debtline or Business Debtline.”
National Debtline provides free, independent debt advice at
www.nationaldebtline.org
Business Debtline provides, free independent advice for
self-employed people and small business owners at www.businessdebtline.org
– ENDS –
Notes to editors:
- Survey findings of National
Debtline callers are based on, 2022 fieldwork conducted between
24th November 2022 and 2nd January 2023, with a sample size of
409. 2021 fieldwork was conducted between 7 December 2021 – 12
January 2022, with a sample size of 159.
