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A campaign which could have resulted in a million consumers refusing to pay their energy bills in October has failed to get the required support for the so-called strike.
Don’t Pay UK was set up earlier this year in response to the continuing cost of living crisis and aimed to get 1 million signatures pledging to cancel their direct debits.
Just 192,000 people have signed up so far however, less than a fifth of the required numbers. As a result, the campaign has said the planned 1 October strike will instead be a “day of action”.
According to the campaign’s website, events are planned across the UK including “bill burning” protests in Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton and London.
In a statement the campaign said it is still targeting 1 million pledges and that the strike will go ahead if this is achieved.
It said: “On our own we’re isolated but, together with a million others, we’re unstoppable. We’ve now proven the strength of the Don’t Pay campaign.
“After 180,000 of us pledged to strike, the government was forced to reduce the catastrophic energy price hike scheduled for 1 October. The threat of all of us saying we won’t pay left the government with no other option.
“This is why we’ll keep going and strike when we hit 1 million pledges.”
On Saturday (1 October) the government’s recently announced Energy Price Guarantee will come into effect, meaning unit rates will be capped at £2,500.
While this is considerably lower than Ofgem’s previously announced price cap of £3,549 per year for a typical dual fuel customer, there are still major concerns from charities about the impact soaring costs will have on the most vulnerable consumers.
Citizens Advice for example has warned almost a quarter of a million customers could be forced onto prepayment energy meters by their supplier this winter, as more struggle with debt.
Elsewhere National Energy Action (NEA) and the Food Foundation have both said that despite the measures announced by the government earlier this month, those who are struggling will require “deeper, targeted support”.
The cost of living crisis and the sector’s responsibility to mitigate it will be one of the key themes at Utility Week Forum on 8-9 November in London. Find out more here.
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