“Today was an opportunity for the Chancellor to highlight that the energy crisis is far from over and that more families than ever before face having to ration heat and hot water, or worse, go without. We call this being in fuel crisis.”
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Fuel Bank Foundation Responds to the Spring Budget
March 6, 2024
Matthew Cole, head of Fuel Bank Foundation, the national fuel poverty charity, said:
“Yesterday alone, 1,525 households were referred into Fuel Bank that were in fuel crisis. The withdrawal of the Household Support Fund, which we have been arguing against, will only make this situation worse. We are pleased therefore to hear the HSF will continue for another six months. We see first-hand the value that it can deliver through effective targeting of those most in need."
“Notwithstanding the fact energy prices are reducing, they remain 50% over pre-crisis levels. Families struggling to fund the energy they need face a very genuine fear they will be on their own when the HSF is withdrawn.”
“Developing a longer-term package of crisis support to help families across the UK that are underheating their homes or living without energy is critical. We urge Mr Hunt to consider how this can be prioritised to ensure that as autumn becomes winter, we have a clear plan in place to ensure that this year, as autumn becomes winter, we have a clear plan in place to ensure that crucial safety net is in place.”
