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We want to hear from you: please tell us about your experience of the online community.

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

Tori_Scope

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

I’ve signed!

Richard_Scope

I've signed!

Tori_Scope

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

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

I have signed yesterday on the way back from working in one of your charity shops.

Tori_Scope

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

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

Sorry @Biblioklept, I believe that's Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Not just a random guy!

Starlingbird

Signed and had my say!

Tori_Scope

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

No I missed it but if you put the video in here I will watch it.

Tori_Scope

I've put an iPlayer link to it in my comment @durhamjaide2001

I hope that helps!

durhamjaide2001

Oh brilliant I will watch it when my iPad chargers

Tori_Scope

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

I will do

L_Volunteer

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

No not yet

L_Volunteer

No worries @durhamjaide2001! Hopefully soon but only once you are ready

2oldcodgers

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

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

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.