Two decades of impact: the British Gas Energy Trust’s fight against fuel poverty

The British Gas Energy Trust (the Trust) recently marked its 20th anniversary at a poignant event held at Westminster, where key leaders and stakeholders gathered to celebrate the Trust’s achievements and discuss future steps to combat fuel poverty. The Trust’s 20th anniversary report, launched at the event, underscores the growing demand for support and highlights the importance of continued collaboration in addressing one of the UK’s most urgent social challenges.

A call for action

Arvinda Gohil OBE, Chair of the British Gas Energy Trust, opened the event with a thought-provoking message about the urgency of addressing fuel poverty. Arvinda poignantly noted that while many of us wake up in warm homes without thinking twice, millions across the UK face the harsh reality of cold and hardship. She stated:

“This issue has escalated beyond what I could have imagined when I first came to this country. But the work we’ve done through the Trust has shone a spotlight on the hardship people face every day, and we must continue working towards a future where fuel poverty no longer exists.”

Arvinda emphasised the importance of partnerships, praising those who work directly with vulnerable communities:

“You, our partners, are the ones who make this happen. You know your communities better than anyone, and we are just the conduit to get the resources where they’re needed most.”

Her call for a collective effort to eliminate fuel poverty resonated with the overall theme of the event—collaboration between charities, policymakers, and businesses is crucial to creating sustainable solutions.

A legacy of transformation

Since its inception in 2004, the Trust has been instrumental in tackling fuel poverty, providing over £250 million in societal benefits and supporting over 700,000 individuals and families. The Trust’s model of combining immediate relief with long-term, data-driven strategies has proven effective in addressing the root causes of fuel poverty.

Catherine O’Kelly, Managing Director of British Gas Energy, reflected on the Trust’s long-term impact:

“For every £1 spent by the British Gas Energy Trust, £6.50 in social value is generated. This clearly demonstrates the value of targeted, sustained interventions that change lives.”

Catherine also highlighted the importance of collaboration across sectors, emphasizing the need for government, charities, and industry to work together to create lasting solutions:

“Fuel poverty is a human issue, not just an energy issue. We need all of us—government, charities, and businesses—to collaborate in order to tackle this challenge effectively.”

Holistic support and immediate relief: a dual approach

Jessica Taplin, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, discussed the transformation of the Trust’s work since 2020, underscoring the quadrupling of funding from British Gas and the significant increase in the number of vulnerable people supported.

Jessica stressed that fuel poverty is not a standalone issue but one that intersects with other challenges such as health, food insecurity, and mental well-being. She stated:

“Fuel poverty is a complex problem. To solve it, we need a combination of immediate financial relief and holistic support that addresses the full range of challenges people face.”

The Trust’s approach focuses on providing not just immediate energy debt relief, but also longer term advice on budgeting, income maximisation, energy efficiency, and general well-being, alleviating pressure on services like the NHS. Jessica’s reflections were echoed in the contributions of local organisations, which highlighted the importance of personalised, community-level support.

Ministerial commitment to ending fuel poverty

The event also featured a powerful speech by Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, the Minister for Energy Consumers, who praised the Trust’s work and emphasised the urgency of tackling the issue. Miatta acknowledged the staggering rise in fuel poverty, noting that the number of households spending over 10% of their income on energy bills has more than doubled in recent years. She shared:

“This is not just a crisis—it’s an ongoing tragedy. The reality of having to choose between heating and eating is unforgivable. But we can’t continue like this.”

Miatta committed to expanding government initiatives aimed at alleviating fuel poverty, including the Warm Homes Discount, which helps low-income households with their energy bills, and a £500 million winter support package for vulnerable households.

Additionally, she highlighted the government’s £3.4 billion investment in improving home energy efficiency, with plans to help over 225,000 households reduce their energy bills in the next year.

In line with the Trust’s vision for systemic reform, Miatta emphasised the need for cleaner, more affordable energy. She said:

“Our aim is to transition from reliance on fossil fuels to clean, affordable energy solutions. This must be part of a broader plan to ensure that everyone has access to secure, affordable energy and a warm home.”

Looking ahead: a unified path to change

The anniversary event ended with a shared commitment to continue the fight against fuel poverty.

Jessica emphasised:

“This is not a time for celebration; it is a wake-up call. The number of people affected by fuel poverty is rising, and we need to act now. Together, we can drive systemic change and provide the support that will lift millions out of this crisis.”

The contributions from Catherine O’Kelly and Miatta Fahnbulleh reinforced this shared vision, emphasising both immediate relief efforts and long-term reforms. The collective call for continued collaboration, innovation, and policy changes sets the stage for an ambitious, unified approach to tackling fuel poverty over the next decade.

Matt Alexander/ PA Media Assignments