Millions of people are trapped in energy debt and forced into impossible choices.
Our energy bills are about to go through the roof — again. Tensions in the Middle East are driving up global oil prices, and ordinary households are left paying the price. With bills set to rise by 13.5% on 1 July, we’re being pushed straight toward another debt crisis. This comes right on the back of the cost of living crisis, which has already trapped millions in a staggering £5.5 billion of energy debt, the highest level on record.
Enough is enough: Write off energy debt now
The government is dragging its feet. Add your name to demand an urgent debt relief scheme.
Households are at breaking point
For millions of people trapped in energy debt, the crisis means making impossible daily choices.
1 in 5 people in debt have had to skip meals
1 in 4 in debt owe someone who scares them
1 in 5 in debt have turned to a foodbank
While households struggle to keep the lights on, the energy industry are reported to have reached £3 billion in profits in the first three months of this year alone. We won a major victory last year when the energy regulator agreed to a debt relief scheme. But months have passed, and the government is still dragging its feet and failing to deliver the support people were promised.
Households have waited long enough. We are calling for urgent action to write off this energy debt once and for all, fully funded by a windfall tax on energy industry profits rather than added to the bills of struggling consumers.
Debt Justice focusses on campaigning and advocacy on debt issues, so we are unable to offer personal debt advice. If you need support with your own finances, please reach out to one of these free services.