Join us in asking the government to introduce discounted energy bills for older and disabled people

Tori_Scope
Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,451 Championing
in Everyday life
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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Comments

  • leeCal
    leeCal Online Community Member Posts: 7,537 Championing
    I’ve signed!
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,693 Cerebral Palsy Network
    I've signed!
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,451 Championing
    Interested in sharing your experiences of high energy bills to help us with this campaign? 

     Fill in this form, or email stories@scope.org.uk, to find out more.
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,451 Championing
    edited January 2023
    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 :) 

  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 12,331 Championing
    I have signed yesterday on the way back from  working in one of your charity shops. 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,451 Championing
    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
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,451 Championing
    Sorry @Biblioklept, I believe that's Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy :) Not just a random guy!
  • Starlingbird
    Starlingbird Online Community Member Posts: 168 Empowering
    Signed and had my say! 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,451 Championing
    edited February 2023
    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!
  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 12,331 Championing
    No I missed it but if you put the video in here I will watch it. 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,451 Championing
    I've put an iPlayer link to it in my comment @durhamjaide2001 :) I hope that helps! 
  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 12,331 Championing
    Oh brilliant I will watch it when my iPad chargers 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,451 Championing
    edited February 2023
    That sounds good @durhamjaide2001 :) Let us know what you think! I'd recommend watching between 1 minute 39 seconds and 16 minutes 30 seconds. 
  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 12,331 Championing
    I will do 
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    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?  :)
  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 12,331 Championing
    No not yet 
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    No worries @durhamjaide2001! Hopefully soon but only once you are ready  :)
  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 739 Connected
    The thought behind this I agree with but how would the government distinguish between wealthy and extremely wealthy individuals. Get that sorted first I would suggest
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,451 Championing
    how would the government distinguish between wealthy and extremely wealthy individuals
    Would you be able to tell us a little bit more about what you mean by this @2oldcodgers? :) 
  • 2oldcodgers
    2oldcodgers Posts: 739 Connected
    Given the headline of this post - It is hoping that the government would discount energy bills for the elderly and disabled.

    I am OK with that idea but would want to ensure that any help offered is directed at those that are the least able to pay the current charges.
    I would not want to see money for this purpose being given to ALL of the elderly and/or disabled.
    There should be a system that only those who are financially challenged would receive this help.
    I have many friends who are extremely wealthy and just because of their ages already get help towards the cost of fuel. They simply have no need for that money and openly admit it.

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