Flint: Energy self-rationing must be investigated

Committee on Fuel Poverty chair Caroline Flint has called on the government to investigate the worrying trend of people reducing their energy consumption to dangerous levels.

The former shadow energy secretary told Utility Week that a plan for this winter must be drawn up sooner rather than later to support the UK’s most vulnerable households.

Flint’s comments come after government statistics reveal more than a quarter of Brits have reduced their energy consumption to “uncomfortable levels”.

Flint said: “If more than a quarter of people reduced their heating to an uncomfortable level, this should be investigated further.

“Whilst some people might turn off radiators in rooms that aren’t used very much, instances of self-disconnection, where temperatures in the home fall to dangerous levels, was always the fear over this past winter.

“With energy bills in 2023 being perhaps double those of pre-pandemic levels, there must be a plan for this coming winter to safeguard fuel poor and vulnerable households.”

Utility Week’s Action on Bills campaign is also calling on the government to draw up a plan of targeted support ahead of the winter.

In particular the campaign is calling on government to reallocate the £3 billion bills relief underspend from last winter to provide grants of £400 to the 7.5 million households National Energy Action estimates are currently in fuel poverty.

Overall, 82% of respondents to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s (DESNZ) survey said that they had taken some form of action to mitigate energy price increases.

More than three-quarter of respondents (76%) said they had reduced their electricity or heating usage, with 27% saying they had done so to “uncomfortable levels”.

To save money, around one in 10 reported missing important journeys (11%), skipping meals (11%), asking friends or family for money (10%) and taking out loans or using credit cards more often (9%).

The survey also revealed that those who were worried about their energy bills were more likely to report taking some action to help manage rising energy prices (92%) than those who were not very or not at all worried (67%).

The DESNZ survey results document adds: “In particular, this group was more likely to state that they had reduced their energy usage to an uncomfortable level (37% of those who were worried, compared with 8% of those who were not worried about their energy bills).”

Affordability is one of the themes at Utility Week Forum this October. To find out more click here.