British Gas Energy Trust Roundtable- Young People, 16-25

Scotland’s largest independent advice agency says educating the country’s young people on finance and energy issues is key to addressing poverty.

Glasgow-based Money Matters offers seven different projects where young people can get access to holistic support, which always includes energy advice and guidance.

They target young people in many ways, including young parents, school pupils and even those using health services.

Some of these programmes are funded through British Gas Energy Trust. In June, the issue of how young people receiving energy advice will be a topic of discussion at the Trust’s second roundtable event, organised to commemorate the charity funder’s 20th anniversary.

Over two decades the Trust has been supporting people in or at risk of fuel poverty with community-based money and energy advice and guidance, energy debt grants and emergency fuel vouchers, and other much needed support.

In 2024, it has organised a series of roundtables across the country looking at ‘alleviating the detrimental impact of poverty- what works, what happens next’.

Speaking ahead of the roundtable, Money Matters’ Chief Operating Officer Audrey Laing emphasised the importance of early intervention.

Audrey said:

“The earlier we get young people to understand financial capability issues the better.

“And as soon as we can get them to understand energy, the sooner we can make an impact with people. It will not only empower the young people, but also help to educate their parents too. The knock-on impact is huge.

“We do a lot of work with young parents. The Scottish Government has said that any parent under the age of 25 is a priority for them – it’s a particular problem because the amount of money someone receives on Universal Credit under 25 is lower than those aged over 25. This group is already struggling, so it’s important we get the education right so they have the knowledge and ability to help themselves.”

In the last quarter alone, almost 500 people have attended Money Matters’ financial and energy capability sessions to support people to maximise their income and reduce their energy spend.

More about the British Gas Energy Trust roundtables can be found here.

Watch this video to find out more about Money Matters Trust funded projects.