Trust commits £13M to fight poverty over next two years

British Gas Energy Trust is investing £13m to help people in or close to fuel poverty by funding 38 frontline money and energy advice services across Britain.

Over two decades, the Trust has helped millions of people in fuel debt with community-based money and energy advice, energy debt grants and emergency fuel vouchers, with a total investment of £200m*.

The Trust funded projects programme – SCARP (Supporting Communities at Risk Programme) – funds charities across England, Scotland, and Wales, who offer a holistic approach to fuel poverty, treating not only the symptoms but causes that often create a cycle of fuel deprivation.

Jessica Taplin CEO of the Trust said:

“I am thrilled that the Trust can continue this essential support across Britain. These funded money and energy advice services address root causes of fuel poverty such as poor money management and home energy inefficiency with an increased focus on the holistic support of increasingly complex cases and energy advice. With this funding commitment of £13m over the next two years an estimated 35,000 people across Britain will have access to these key frontline services in the heart of their community, with 60% receiving the critical in-depth support they need,  thanks to Trust funded projects like Zinthiya Trust in Leicester or Bromley by Bow Centre in London.”

Since 2020, 250,000 people and households accessed support and help with £90m of debt managed, £25m of debt written off and £67m in income gains, thanks to Trust funded projects.

Between April 2022 and March 2023 Trust-funded advisers supported over 24,000 clients to increase their income by nearly £16m per annum and write off over £5 million in debt. This was achieved through over 60,000 hours of casework support which enabled budget plans, income maximisation checks, home energy surveys and various education sessions to be delivered at the point of need for people who were significantly impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.

Tahmina Begum, Delivery Manager at Bromley by Bow Centre said:

“The funding supports us to help community members address any financial challenges they face with paying their bills, managing their debt, accessing support that is available to them and / or managing their expenditure. Early support not only addresses the issue at hand but also avoids it escalating with an even greater impact on people’s lives.”

Helen Charlton Chair of the British Gas Energy Trust Board said:

“I am delighted to confirm this £13m of Trust funding for these money and energy advice services that are a necessity in communities up and down the country. It enables the Trust’s funded organisations to deliver a significant uplift in activity, including 23,000 income maximisation and benefit checks, as well as 14,000 home energy survey, more education sessions and more people receiving help with a budget plan. I have witnessed first-hand the impact of these services, and it is not a stretch to say they can have lifechanging effects. This funding means that clients in or at risk of fuel poverty will be helped with comprehensive services such as income maximization, debt management and write-off, benefit maximization, energy saving tips and much more.