Join us in asking the government to introduce discounted energy bills for older and disabled people — Scope | Disability forum
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Join us in asking the government to introduce discounted energy bills for older and disabled people

Tori_Scope
Tori_Scope Scope Campaigns Posts: 12,465 Disability Gamechanger
in Disability rights and campaigning
Older and disabled people shouldn't have to unfairly pay the price for needing more energy.

Join Scope and Age UK in asking the government to introduce discounted energy bills for those who need it most.

Are you with us? 

Sign our open letter.

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National Campaigns Officer, she/her

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  • leeCal
    leeCal Community member Posts: 7,550 Disability Gamechanger
    I’ve signed!

    “This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple. Your philosophy is simple kindness.” 
    ― Dalai Lama XIV

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  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,560 Scope online community team
    I've signed!
    Scope
    Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead

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  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Campaigns Posts: 12,465 Disability Gamechanger
    Interested in sharing your experiences of high energy bills to help us with this campaign? 

     Fill in this form, or email [email protected], to find out more.
    National Campaigns Officer, she/her

    Join our call for an equal future.
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  • Biblioklept
    Biblioklept Community member Posts: 3,909 Disability Gamechanger
    I will be signing but I can imagine they'll just point to the targeted extra financial support they've offered  already *eye roll* (which we all know doesn't even touch the sides!!) 

    I feel like the focus should be on stopping the energy companies being able to keep hiking prices while still recording record profits. They'd still get record profits without increasing prices so why are they allowed to, if the gov really want the country to recover more money in people's pockets would help.  :s 

    The covering page of the campaign says it's supporting older people, disabled people and carers and the actual letter forgets older people and seems to just be everyone (not saying I disagree with it, I think everyone should have more help, just doesn't seem to carry same message but maybe I'm misreading lol)

    "In our view, this kind of targeted support should be automatically made available to those who need it including: people on means tested benefits, disability benefits, and Carer’s Allowance alongside those still struggling with their bills but missing out on support from the welfare system."

    I'm a bit confused by this part of the letter though as it feels quite broad and loses focus. I imagine everyone but the top 1% are struggling.
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  • Biblioklept
    Biblioklept Community member Posts: 3,909 Disability Gamechanger
    edited January 19
    @Tori_Scope I'm going to sound like an idiot I'm sure but I'm confused by the messaging around this because I recently received an email which says you're asking the government to 'cut energy bills by half,' but then that isn't said at all in the letter to the government that I can see?? Am I missing something? 
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  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Campaigns Posts: 12,465 Disability Gamechanger
    edited January 19
    You don't sound like an idiot at all @Biblioklept! Those are all very valid points :) 

    I've spoken to our campaigns team, who've said the following.

    Who's eligible

    Analysis by Age UK estimates that around 10 million households would be eligible for the social tariff in 2023-24, costing between £8bn and £15.5bn.

    Scope is campaigning for an energy social tariff to be automatically made available to those who need it including:
    • people receiving means tested benefits
    • people receiving disability benefits
    • people receiving Carer’s Allowance
    • people still struggling with their bills but missing out on support from the welfare system.
    I think older people are intended to be covered by reference to 'low income and vulnerable households’ and ‘those in greatest need’.

     What the discount would look like

    Scope’s position is that an energy social tariff should be set at half the price of the energy price cap.

    This would halve the cost of bills of people who are eligible.

    The Energy Price Cap is currently predicted to be £2,800 per year for an average household in April 2024.

    Our recommendation is that the Government set the discounted rate for the social tariff at 50% of the energy tariff market rate, or 50% below the price cap – whichever is lowest.   

    I'm sure more details will come out as the campaign progresses, so definitely keep an eye on those emails and updates on our website!

    If you have any further questions or suggestions, please do say and we can do our best to answer :) 

    National Campaigns Officer, she/her

    Join our call for an equal future.
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  • Biblioklept
    Biblioklept Community member Posts: 3,909 Disability Gamechanger
    Thanks so much @Tori_Scope!!! I was just confused because the actual letter and stuff don't say about halving so wondered where that had come from. <3 It was so kind of you to find out more information for me
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  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 7,542 Disability Gamechanger
    I have signed yesterday on the way back from  working in one of your charity shops. 
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  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Campaigns Posts: 12,465 Disability Gamechanger
    It's no problem at all @Biblioklept :) As I say, I'm sure more details will come out as the campaign progresses.

    It's already catching the attention of the Government! 

    Photo of Grant Shapps Secretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy Quote I hear loud and clear the calls for social tariffs and for longer-term certainty around paying bills
    National Campaigns Officer, she/her

    Join our call for an equal future.
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  • Biblioklept
    Biblioklept Community member Posts: 3,909 Disability Gamechanger
    Who is that dude? I've facial blindness and can't tell people apart :D 
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  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Campaigns Posts: 12,465 Disability Gamechanger
    Sorry @Biblioklept, I believe that's Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy :) Not just a random guy!
    National Campaigns Officer, she/her

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  • Starlingbird
    Starlingbird Community member Posts: 169 Pioneering
    Signed and had my say! 
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  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Campaigns Posts: 12,465 Disability Gamechanger
    edited February 3
    There's still time to sign our open letter :) 

    Did any of you see our Head of Policy and Campaigns, Louise, on Newsnight last night? If not, you can watch it on iPlayer!
    National Campaigns Officer, she/her

    Join our call for an equal future.
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  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 7,542 Disability Gamechanger
    No I missed it but if you put the video in here I will watch it. 
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  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Campaigns Posts: 12,465 Disability Gamechanger
    I've put an iPlayer link to it in my comment @durhamjaide2001 :) I hope that helps! 
    National Campaigns Officer, she/her

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  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 7,542 Disability Gamechanger
    Oh brilliant I will watch it when my iPad chargers 
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  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Campaigns Posts: 12,465 Disability Gamechanger
    edited February 3
    That sounds good @durhamjaide2001 :) Let us know what you think! I'd recommend watching between 1 minute 39 seconds and 16 minutes 30 seconds. 
    National Campaigns Officer, she/her

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  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 7,542 Disability Gamechanger
    I will do 
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  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,979 Disability Gamechanger
    Have you been able to watch it yet @durhamjaide2001 and, if so, would you like to tell us a little about how you found it?  :)
    Community Volunteer Adviser with professional knowledge of education, special educational needs and disabilities and EHCP's. Pronouns: She/her. 

    Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.
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  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 7,542 Disability Gamechanger
    No not yet 
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