Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has welcomed actions being taken by British Gas to support people struggling to pay their energy bills.  

In addition to administering public support schemes, they are providing a range of support to both British Gas customers and customers of other energy suppliers:   

• They are working to actively identify those with ability to pay problems to help them before their situation escalates. If anyone is struggling with their bills they should contact British Gas on 0333 202 9804 or visit them online at https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/help-if-youre-struggling-to-pay.html.

• The British Gas Energy Trust (BGET) – an independent charity funded solely by British Gas – is open for grant applications of up to £1,500 to help customers struggling with their energy bills. Customers of any supplier – not just British Gas customers – with £250 or more of energy debt can apply at https://bget.org.uk and should already be in contact with a debt adviser, such as the charities Citizens Advice, National Debtline or StepChange. Through their BGET Energy Support Fund, British Gas are distributing £1.3m a month to vulnerable households.

• BGET Communities at Risk programme -  The British Gas Energy Trust (BGET) have recently announced new funding under its Communities at Risk programme for The Big Issue Foundation, Royal Mencap Society, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) & Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). The programme will provide additional resources or personnel to each organisation to deliver a money & energy advice component to services already provided.

• Community Post Office pop-ups: Following a successful pilot earlier this year, British Gas have launched more Post Office pop-up events across England, Scotland and Wales to provide much-needed money and energy advice to those who need it in their local community. Since mid-October until mid-December, British Gas are at 38 locations (74 days total) across Britain as part of their ‘Stop the Silence’ campaign to end the stigma around energy debt, to encourage those that need it to ask for help, and raises awareness of the support available through BGET.

Darren said:

“Despite the UK Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) discount of £400 to customer bills, and the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) for business customers, many are still worried about how they will afford to pay their energy bills this winter and I therefore welcome all that British Gas are doing to support people.

“They advise that anyone struggling to pay their gas or electricity bills should first contact their energy supplier to find out what help they can provided. British Gas offer their customers a range of support, such as repayment plans and energy grants to signpost to the best sources of independent advice for their needs.”