What can be done to ensure that low-income households are getting all the support they need before they fall into financial difficulty?
Posted on 07th Nov 2023
What can be done to ensure that low-income households are getting all the support they need before they fall into financial difficulty?
British Gas Energy Trust CEO Jessica Taplin will be speaking on what needs to be done to ensure people get the right advice and support at the Money Advice Liaison Group (MALG) conference on the 9th of November 2023.
The theme of this year’s conference is The new demographics of debt, with speakers highlighting the changing landscape of those affected.
Jessica Taplin said,
“In the coming months, the energy crisis will continue to hit those on the lowest income the hardest and this situation, despite the price cap, is likely to be as bad, if not worse, than last winter. The Trust funds over 50 frontline charities delivering money and energy advice across Great Britain, and there has been a huge increase reported in the demand for money and energy advice. Cases have increased in their complexity, with clients often requiring immediate crisis support followed by months of ongoing work and strong advocacy. At the Trust our ambition is to support people to avoid the burden of energy debt through person-centred support. We help people in the immediate with energy debt grants, and with longer-term support via our funded network of money and energy projects. With this holistic support we can help make lasting change, through services such as income maximisation and better money management skills.”
Sessions include Gen Z Money Management & Debt: Adapting to Younger People’s Needs, The Big Debt Debate: Inequality and the Link Between Financial, Mental and Physical Health and The Cost of Living on the Breadline: Income Maximisation to Make Ends Meet, on which Jessica will be speaking.
There are now more families accessing money and energy support for the first time, presenting complex cases requiring months of ongoing support. Increases have also been seen in incorrect billing, challenges contacting utility suppliers, clients with physical and mental health conditions and those needing urgent support such as fuel vouchers to be able to reconnect their energy supply.
This panel discussion will touch on the new demographic of people affected by debt due to rising living costs and stagnant wages. It will look at what can be done to ensure that low income households get the support that they need to prevent them from falling into financial destitution, whether through income maximisation or other measures.
To find out more about the MALG conference, please click here.
British Gas Energy Trust was formed in 2004, funded solely by, but separate to, British Gas. Since its creation, it has invested over £175.8 million in helping more than 700,000 people manage their energy costs. *
Support is delivered through three programmes: debt relief grants which can help households with up to £1,500 in fuel debt; a small grants programme that provides grants for emergency energy vouchers and payments; and a programme called Supporting Communities at Risk, which operates across England, Scotland and Wales and funds over 50 front-line charities such as local Citizens Advice Bureau’s or independent and thematic advice charities.
To find out more about support available to you through British Gas Energy Trust, please click here.
* Figures are based on historic records and sources, some of which are not audited accounts.