During the cold snaps of last winter, a significant number of Britons made the decision to forgo turning on their heating in order to save money on their energy bills, which had skyrocketed due to the rising costs of gas and electricity. According to a survey conducted by consumer group Which?, nearly 90% of households attempted to reduce their energy usage, and 13 million homes, or roughly half of all British households, opted not to use their heating when the weather turned cold.
The findings of the survey revealed that lower-income households and individuals aged between 45 and 64 were more likely to go without winter heating. This has led to calls for the government to implement a discounted “social energy tariff” specifically designed for vulnerable households.
The increase in gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted the UK government to step in and subsidize household energy bills, which remained significantly higher than pre-crisis levels. The government also launched an advertising campaign urging consumers to reduce their energy usage.
Emily Seymour, the energy editor at Which?, expressed concern over the estimated 13 million households that refrained from using their heating due to fears of high energy bills.
The survey further revealed that approximately half of households with an annual income below £20,000 opted not to use their heating, compared to only a third of households with an income exceeding £80,000. Additionally, individuals aged between 45 and 64 were more likely than other age groups to go without heating during cold weather, potentially due to having more financial responsibilities while still not being eligible to access pension savings.
The survey also found that over half of households resorted to wearing extra layers of clothing at home, while 40% reduced their oven usage, and a third decreased the frequency or duration of their baths and showers.
Seymour emphasized the need for immediate action from both the government and energy firms to assist those most in need during the winter months. She urged the government to introduce a targeted social tariff as soon as possible, while energy companies should ensure that their customer services are equipped to offer proper support.
Amidst these calls for a social tariff, Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, is preparing to announce the latest price cap, set to take effect from October. While the cap aims to establish a fair rate for household energy bills, consumer groups argue that it remains unaffordable for low-income households. Instead, they propose that the government legislate a social tariff, with costs well below the actual cost of supplying gas and electricity, to alleviate fuel poverty.
It is worth noting that the government has been criticized for failing to implement a social tariff despite repeated promises to consult on such proposals by April 2024. In previous statements, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt pledged to consider a social tariff for energy bills as part of an effort to assist vulnerable individuals and households. The Treasury confirmed that they were working on a new approach to protect households, including exploring the possibility of a social tariff, during the spring statement earlier this year.
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