Did you see our balloon?

Tori_Scope

You’ll hopefully remember me posting about our social energy tariff campaign. 

As a reminder, Scope and Age UK wrote an open letter to the Government asking for a 50% discount on energy rates for disabled people, older people, and carers on lower incomes.  

We had 58,234 signatures overall- thank you for showing your support! 

Yesterday, with Age UK and some of our disabled storytellers, we delivered our open letter to the Government. 

To help us make our point, we took a shed to Parliament with a giant light bulb shaped balloon breaking through the roof to represent disabled people’s skyrocketing energy bills.

This isn’t the end of our campaign.   

We’ll be keeping a keen eye on the Spring Budget. We hope that the Chancellor will commit to delivering support for disabled people on many of the issues we’ve been campaigning on.   

We'll continue to stand with you, and push the Government to put an end to energy bills going through the roof.    

I look forward to keeping you all updated

Over to you...

What do you think about the campaign? 

Do you have any questions about the campaign?  

How are you feeling about the upcoming Spring Budget? 

Tori_Scope

Here's the balloon in action! 

Hannah_Alumni

I'm very nervous about the upcoming Spring Budget. I feel saying the last mini budget was a disaster is an understatement! I do hope there is more support for people. 

Sandy_123

What a fantastic balloon design, I didn't see it tho what is the next step after the signatures 

CountryMimi

Thank you to whoever has organised this 💖

I think this is such an important campaign xxx

SueHeath

Yes i've been following the campaign i thought the balloon etc was a brilliant idea, draws peoples attention. Well done all x

Wibbles

I just wish that the government would stop using the term "PRICE CAP" - It is NOT a cap - it is purely an average amount that the government estimate that people living under certain conditions will be charged for power..... You could easily be charged double this amount for power.

confuddled

I wish that instead of just talking about how much harder it is for disabled people that they would do some action. Not just £150. I doubt that even covers our beds, chairs, toilets etc

OverlyAnxious

Sandy_123 said:

what is the next step after the signatures 

Not much unfortunately.  They'd need 100,000 signatures to get it debated in parliament.

Tori_Scope

Thank you for the positive feedback, all! I'm glad you liked the visual metaphor of the balloon and the shed  

@Sandy_123 @OverlyAnxious @Biblioklept as for what's next, the Government aren't obligated to respond to our open letter. However, we're hoping for a response and an offer to meet with someone from the department.

The open letter has had quite a bit of buzz, and we've had a warm reception from many in power throughout the campaign, including Ofgem and Grant Shapps.

I hope there's more support offered to disabled people in the Spring Budget, too. I know some of the news around the upcoming white paper has been quite anxiety inducing. I'll be interested to see what the details are!

Margare93222061

The government live in their own little bubble they do not like to give money to people. The only reason everyone had £400 was so that there would be no riot in the streets.

Tori_Scope

I think many people share that view @Margare93222061! What would you like to see included in the Budget? 

Margare93222061

I would still like to see help with the  energy bills but I do not think that is likely to happen.

Tori_Scope

One can hope, but I think it'd come later on @Margare93222061, How are you finding things at the moment? 

Margare93222061

I  am not doing to bad at the moment