On October 30, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will deliver the Economic and Fiscal Outlook for the U.K. in her “Autumn Statement” in the House of Commons. A leading Christian debt relief charity has called for the government to help people behind in energy payments who are facing a cold winter.
“We’re seriously concerned that many families on low incomes, already in energy arrears, are living in cold properties and struggling to afford to cook hot meals,” said Stewart McCulloch, Chief Executive Officer for Christians Against Poverty (CAP), previously interviewed by Christian Daily International about burgeoning poverty levels in the U.K.
“Energy costs are one of our clients’ biggest fears and this month's price rise is another huge blow to people who already can’t afford their electricity and gas.
“Around half of the people we’re helping don’t have enough income to cover their basic needs and are living on a deficit budget. On average, they’re around £273 short of what they need each month just to pay for their essentials.”
For both gas and electric bills by house size, on average a flat or one-bed house with one to two people spends £116.16 GBP ($151 USD) per month; for a medium 3-bed house for two to three people, it is £130.50 GBP ($169 USD) per month; and for a five-bed house for four to five people it is £212.57 ($276 USD) per month. These figures were published in July (2024) by British Gas.
McCulloch said that local churches partnered with CAP are a “lifeline” for families in poverty right now. He also lauded the CAP frontline debt coaches for hard work supporting clients, witnessing firsthand “the devastation high costs of essentials are causing for families who are already facing extremely traumatic and heartbreaking life circumstances.”
“Ahead of the Autumn Statement, our message to the UK Government and MPs from all political parties is to choose people over politics, listen to families living in poverty and take brave action to protect them from the cold this winter,” added McCulloch.
“We know the government has really hard financial decisions to make but they also have the power to make policy decisions that positively change the lives of millions of people in the U.K. currently living in poverty.”
CAP calls on the government to introduce a “help to repay” energy support scheme, to help those struggling with the costs of energy bills. The scheme would ensure people could access full debt relief and have bills written off if unable to repay debts.
The charity also wants a reduction in debt deduction rates, when the government deducts money owed from benefits. CAP sees that a reduction in this controversial practice would ensure a benefit claimant could still afford essentials.
Lastly, CAP wants to see liveable incomes created for everyone. This means reviewing the rate of social security and minimum wages to set a protected minimum amount “floor”, ensuring no one is pushed into deprivation.
