Reflections on the British Gas Energy Trust Roundtable: A Holistic Approach to Addressing Fuel Poverty

A blog by Martin Lord, Consortium Director of Citizens Advice Essex

I was pleased to be invited to a recent British Gas Energy Trust Roundtable, to mark the Trust’s 20th anniversary. The event allowed participants to reflect on the work and experiences of Trust funded organisations and provided a space to share our challenges and experiences in providing support to vulnerable and at-risk communities. As a representative of an organisation funded by the Trust, I can attest to the transformative impact of its funding, enabling three local Citizens Advice offices within the Citizens Advice Essex consortium to place skilled advisers directly in food banks, recognising the undeniable link between food insecurity and fuel poverty. By integrating our services into these critical community hubs, we ensure that those in the greatest need can be reached and provided with the support they need.

The Trust’s accomplishments, especially in response to rising energy prices, deserve wider recognition. A key strength lies in their collaborative approach, respecting the expertise of funded organizations to address local needs effectively. This autonomy has led to diverse and impactful responses across different organisations. For me, a critical question that emerged at the roundtable, was how, as frontline organisations, we could develop fully comprehensive strategies to tackle fuel poverty. Our conversations with clients, which initially focus on their financial situation through income maximisation and debt advice, should lead to discussions about long-term strategies for reducing energy costs. In other words, to be fully holistic, we need to attempt to address both sides of the fuel poverty equations. As representatives of frontline organisations which work with and are trusted by the most marginalised communities, who will take on this responsibility if we do not?

Whilst, as organisations we have real expertise as determined advocates for our clients on welfare benefits issues, housing, and debt, we do not, as a sector, have long-established expertise in providing advice on low carbon options including the bewildering array of grants and schemes that are available. In Essex, we have around 30 caseworkers and advisers working on funded programmes supporting people in fuel poverty, and whilst most of them possess a basic energy advice awareness qualification, and the majority have developed quite significant expertise, across the whole organisation, this is not as well-established or as consistent organisational capability as we have in respect to other areas of advice.

Should we expect a single funder to cover the entire cost of addressing these multifaceted issues? Given the range of potential funding sources, how should charities working in this field navigate the creation of effective referral pathways and overcome dependencies to meet client needs especially when funding is fragmented? Moreover, what role should the government play? And could a national, consumer-facing service designed for middle-income households also effectively support those struggling to manage?

The roundtable highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing fuel poverty. Despite challenges, the sector’s resilience and innovation were evident. Our work with the Trust showcases how parts of the funding community are helping us meeting these challenges, though significant work remains to optimise our collective response. As we navigate this complex landscape, building on these discussions and fostering partnerships is crucial to ensure no one is left behind in the transition to a sustainable and equitable energy future.

Read more about the 20th anniversary roundtable programme here.