More than five million people behind on their energy bills

Based on findings from its Under Pressure research, it confirmed the heavy toll high energy bills are taking on household finances – particularly with 2.1 million more people in energy arrears in April 2023 than in March last year.  

In response to these findings, the Money Advice Trust, alongside StepChange Debt Charity, National Energy Action, Scope and ten other organisations, are calling for a “Help to Repay” repayment-matching scheme in an effort to provide a safe route out of debt for struggling households.  

The charity’s chief executive Joanna Elson said: “Energy bills might finally be falling – but for millions of households, the effects of this cost-of-living crisis are already baked in.   

“With more people falling behind on energy and other essential bills and millions facing unaffordable demands for repayment, we need urgent action to make sure everyone has access to a safe route out of debt. The government has already provided substantial support to help with the cost of living – but no-one should underestimate the scale of this continued crisis.  

“The Help to Repay payment-matching scheme we are proposing will help those who otherwise will simply not be able to dig themselves out of the energy arrears that this crisis has created.  And for those most in need, the government should introduce an Essentials Guarantee to link the rate of Universal Credit to cover the cost of essential goods like food and energy.”