Responding to today’s Budget, AdviceUK welcomed the Chancellor’s measures to reduce household energy costs and the Energy Debt Circuit Breaker strategy, including targeted debt relief, support with repayments and reforms to supplier practices.
AdviceUK has long called for stronger relationships between energy suppliers and free, independent advice services. The Government must now set out how the debt relief scheme will be rolled out, including how local advice services will be fully funded and supported to identify and refer eligible households.
Dr Zubaida Haque, Head of Policy, Programmes and Media at AdviceUK, said:
“We welcome the new Energy Debt Circuit Breaker strategy, which includes a commitment to roll out the energy debt relief scheme as soon as possible and the recognition that suppliers need to work more closely with debt advice services – something which AdviceUK has long advocated for. The Government must now make clear how advice services will be involved in delivering the scheme and provide the funding needed to do that work.
“We also should not ignore what millions of households in the UK are currently dealing with every day: incorrect energy bills, faulty meters, unaffordable repayment demands, people struggling to get suppliers to recognise their vulnerable circumstances – these are issues that are leaving households facing thousands of pounds in unmanageable debt. Advice services across the country are helping people challenge incorrect bills, negotiate affordable repayments and secure debt relief.
“As ministers pursue greater devolution and growth in every postcode, they must recognise free and independent advice services as essential local infrastructure. Investing in every postcode means investing in the essential advice services that help people who live there.”
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