January sees highest level of energy bill support reach vulnerable households
- More support reaching households across Great Britain, with 76% of all Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers now redeemed - and 1.7 million used in the month of January alone
- this follows government communications campaign, with the Energy Security Secretary calling on suppliers to do everything they can to deliver support
- over £7.2 billion has now been provided to 98% of eligible households in England, Scotland and Wales, with redemption rates across suppliers ranging from 68% to 87%
New figures published (20 February 2023) show 1.7 million vouchers (76%) were used by households with prepayment meters across Great Britain in January – 130,000 more than in December. This means the highest rate yet of government help has reached some of the most vulnerable households through the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) – with £530 million provided in total so far under EBSS.
The vouchers delivered through the scheme provide a total of £400 to help with energy costs this winter paid in monthly instalments.
However, even with this improvement the government is calling on suppliers to continue efforts to reach customers with unused vouchers – with around 1.9 million remaining unredeemed. Ministers are maintaining calls for communities, local leaders and suppliers to make sure households using traditional prepayment meters are aware of the support and how to access it.
It comes in addition to a wider crackdown by the Energy Security Secretary on the mistreatment of vulnerable customers after concerns were raised about the sharp rise in companies seeking warrants to enter people’s homes to forcibly install prepayment meters.
Since Mr Shapps’ intervention all energy suppliers have now committed to ending the forced installation of prepayment meters in vulnerable customers’ homes, Ofgem has committed to speaking to consumers rather than just suppliers about their experiences and Lord Justice Edis issued directions to magistrates’ courts to stop approving warrants to force-fit prepayment meters grinding the practice to a firm halt.
