Tag: Energy Bills

Energy profits up as households brace for higher bills

Energy firms posted over £23.1 billion in profit from UK operations in 2025, according to new analysis of company reports. [1]

The figures, based on the returns of 30 companies heavily involved in the UK energy system, are an increase from £22.7 billion on 2024 numbers, but a slight decrease from the £27.6 billion posted in 2023 during the height of the Russian-triggered price shock.

The data does not take into account returns generated by the US-Israel conflict with Iran, where BP has already suggested it will make ‘exceptional’ returns and Shell could bank up to £5 billion in oil price profits. The next corporate profits season starts on Tuesday with BP posting its quarter one results.

Households on heating oil and LPG energy have already seen energy costs soar, prompting the Government to provide limited emergency relief and extend support for these households to move off oil and gas.

All households will see an increase in energy bills from 1 July when the next Ofgem price cap period starts.

According to the Common Wealth think tank, around a quarter of an energy bill is taken in profit by a range of firms involved in the industry. But while the Windfall Tax continues to be attacked by corporate lobbyists, the public back the Tax by a margin of two to one and ministers last week extended the tax paid by some energy giants.

Additionally, energy company bosses have been seeing their personal wealth grow off the  back of the current crisis, with Harbour Energy’s Linda Z Cook seeing the value of her shareholding rise by more than £4 million to £26 million in just the first four weeks of the conflict.

Simon Francis, The End Fuel Poverty Coalition said:

“These figures are a damning verdict on an energy system that is failing the people it is supposed to serve.

“Households were already struggling with rising bills before Russia invaded Ukraine and sent gas prices through the roof. Now Trump’s war in Iran is delivering a third hammer blow.

“While households face another bill rise in July and millions remain trapped in fuel poverty, the companies that control our energy supply are cashing in.”

Robert Palmer, Uplift Deputy Director, said:

“It’s appalling that while millions are worrying over energy bills, these figures show that even before the war in Iran, energy companies were raking in billions of profits.

“The war is going to make all of this worse – with higher energy bills for most of us, while around the world oil companies are making an obscene $30 million (£22 million) an hour in unearned profits.

“The UK’s dependence on oil and gas is making all of us poorer. All except for the oil bosses and their shareholders who, once again, are profiting at our expense.

“That’s why we must ramp up renewables, and upgrade homes with solar power, batteries and heat pumps. It is the only way to insulate ourselves from energy shocks and protect the climate. We also need to support those who need it most with financial help. We should be putting these profits back in people’s pockets, not making the public pay for what is a humanitarian and economic disaster.”

Researchers working for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition examined the declared profits of 30 energy firms, from across the industry, including producers such as Shell and Equinor, grid operators including National Grid and UK Power Networks and suppliers such as British Gas, as well as energy trading companies. Any firms posting losses in this period are taken into account and five firms monitored are yet to file accounts for 2025.

ENDS

[1] The data in this tracker has been collated from publicly available company reports and industry sources, with profits adjusted where possible to reflect UK operations. For multinational businesses, UK profit estimates are based on disclosed proportions of revenue, production, or operating assets attributable to the UK, or on reasonable assumptions using sector benchmarks where disclosure is limited. The figures are indicative, providing a consistent basis to assess trends in UK energy-sector profitability and its relationship to household energy costs. These measures differ from company to company due to reporting processes and regulatory requirements in different jurisdictions. In determining which measure of profitability to use, the research has prioritised the measure preferred in the company’s own accounts. The totals declared here include offsetting any losses made by some of the firms in some years of the period examined. 30 firms were monitored, with 26 making a profit over 5 years. One is yet to post results. These firms were selected by the researchers to create a cross section of the energy industry and to reflect those most frequently covered in the media.

Full information available at: https://www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/news/energy-firm-profits-tracker/

Data as at 31 March 2026.

The data was compiled by freelance business journalist David Craik and examined and peer-reviewed by a business analyst with board-level experience within complex multinational businesses.

David’s experience has included writing business and city news and features for national newspapers and magazines such as The Daily Mirror, Sunday Times, Wall Street Journal, Scotsman and Daily Express. Much of his content focuses on company financial results and reports in the energy sector and on personal finance issues including wealth management, property, investing and managing household budgets and bills.

Energy bills due to increase 12% from 1 July

Energy bills are now expected to increase by £196 a year from 1st July.

While the new analyst projections are not as high as first feared, oil and gas wholesale markets remain volatile and households will face steep rises in their bills.

Cornwall Insight said its prediction for Ofgem’s cap from July to September now stands at £1,837 for a typical dual fuel household, an increase of 12% on April’s cap. In April, energy bills fell due to measures taken by the Government in the 2024 Budget.

Meanwhile, around 24 million people are worried about their ability to pay their energy bill over the next six months according to debt charity StepChange as it called for an energy social tariff to help struggling households.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said:
“The damage from the latest oil and gas price crisis is already baked into price cap predictions. Millions of households in fuel poverty are going to be asked to find more money for energy on top of prices that are already unaffordable.

“Fossil fuel wholesale markets remain volatile, global events continue to dictate what we pay for energy and families already struggling with energy debt have no buffer left to absorb further rises.

“A smaller than planned increase is not relief. It is still an increase that will push more people into crisis and generate higher profits for the oil and gas industry.

“The Government must set out what help is going to be available for households both in the short and long term.”

Public demands Government help to end exposure to energy price shocks

British households want to break free from the cycle of fossil fuel price shocks for good, with new polling showing that the ongoing conflict with Iran has prompted more than a third of adults to increase their interest in new technologies to cut their bills and reduce their exposure to volatile global markets.

Research by Survation for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition finds that 35% of the public have become more interested in home energy technology since the Iran conflict began. Of these people, 45% are now more interested in getting solar panels on their roofs, 36% would like more home insulation, 35% are more interested in the new plug in solar option and 26% are now more interested in getting a heat pump.

But with 60% saying such options are simply too expensive, the public is calling on the Government to act, with 71% wanting grants for insulation and 68% seeking support for solar panels and heat pumps.

With 83% of the public worried about energy bills and 44% saying they would be unable to afford the expected £228 annual increase in energy bills from 1 July, 73% want to see targeted support for households and 67% want to see help for all households with energy bills.

Heating Oil and LPG customers have already seen the cost of energy increase and as price rises loom for even more households from 1 July, a majority of the public (64%) believe that the energy industry is profiteering from the conflict in Iran and a majority say that ending the Windfall Tax now would be the wrong thing to do.

Simon Francis, End Fuel Poverty Coalition coordinator said:

“The public has had enough of history repeating itself. They want to protect themselves from oil and gas price shocks for good, and the Government has both the means and the mandate to help them do it.

“Energy firms made £125bn in profits on their UK operations over the last five years and companies like BP are already expecting bumper profits from the fresh crisis. The Windfall Tax revenue raised by the Treasury should be going further to help households cut their bills for good.

“The Government’s Warm Homes Plan is the right vehicle, but now is the moment to make it even more ambitious and to ensure it comes with a guarantee that every upgraded home will see energy efficiency improve and bills come down.”

Three-quarters of the public (76%) hold Donald Trump responsible for energy bill increases set to hit UK households, while 65% also blame the energy industry directly. The anger runs deep enough that 63% of respondents agree the increases amount to a Trump Tax on their bills.

Robert Palmer, Deputy Director of Uplift, added:

“People know they’re being hit with a Trump Tax, plain and simple. We’re facing higher energy bills, rocketing fuel prices and more expensive mortgages.

“Our dependence on fossil fuels is making all of us poorer. All except for the oil and gas bosses and their shareholders who – once again – are set to cash in at our expense.

“Now Trump is demanding that the UK doubles down on drilling. But we can’t drill our way out of this crisis. More drilling won’t take a penny off our bills, and would have no meaningful impact on the UK’s supply of gas. We’ve burned most of what was in the North Sea already.

“The only way to insulate ourselves from these risks is to press on with renewables, like wind, and upgrade our homes with solar power and heat pumps, so we can free ourselves from oil and gas and ensure we have a liveable planet. And this polling shows the public gets this, even if Donald Trump doesn’t.

“The Government needs to help people who want to upgrade their homes and have more control of their energy bills, as well as billpayers who are going to struggle.

“This is a Trump Tax, plain and simple. It’s likely to be a painful economic hit to the UK with higher energy bills, rocketing food prices and more expensive mortgages.”

ENDS

Survation were commissioned by the End Fuel Poverty Coalition to interview 2,047 people from 2-7 April 2026. Data were weighted to the profile of the UK. Data was weighted by respondent’s sex, age, region, household income, highest qualification, and past vote (GE24, EU16).

Research tables can be downloaded here.

Two-thirds of households fear for finances as energy bills set to rise

Research carried out for Lightning Reach, has found households suffering widespread financial anxiety, with two-thirds concerned about their finances over the coming months.

Nearly two-fifths said their financial situation had worsened compared with the same point last year. Three in ten had cut back on essentials including food and heating, while a quarter had used savings to cover everyday costs and one in six had borrowed from family or friends.

More than half of those surveyed said they were carrying debt, with 42% reporting that their debt had increased. Global instability has contributed to rising prices and higher mortgage rates, adding further strain to household budgets.

Despite the scale of financial difficulty, a quarter of people said they would not feel comfortable requesting financial support even if their situation required it.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Meanwhile, energy giant BP has said that it is now set for “exceptional” financial results in the first three months of the year after the Iran war sent the cost of oil soaring.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:
“These figures reflect what households across the country are living through. Cutting back on food and heating is not an abstract financial decision, it is a sign that the energy system based on volatile oil and gas prices is failing people.

“With forecasts pointing to a fresh energy bill rise from July, the pressure on household budgets is only going to intensify. The Government must use the next price cap period as a moment to act. Targeted bill support, action on energy debt and reform of how energy costs are structured would make a real and immediate difference to millions of households.

“And with the public backing the continuation of the Windfall Tax on energy firm profits by a margin of two-to-one, there is also a clear way to pay for this support.”

Iran conflict to cost the typical households £480 each

Rising energy costs triggered by the conflict in Iran are set to leave typical British households nearly £500 worse off this year, according to new analysis from the Resolution Foundation.

The thinktank calculates that the median working-age household, previously on track for modest income growth of 0.9%, could now see income fall by 0.6%, a swing worth around £480. Lower-income households will still see some benefit from the abolition of the two-child limit and above-inflation increases in Universal Credit, but the foundation estimates average income growth for the poorest fifth has been cut from 2.8% to just 1.2% as a result of the conflict.

The Foundation is urging ministers to accelerate work on a social tariff, a targeted support mechanism for lower-income energy users estimated and has the backing of former Conservative chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who estimated it would cost between £5bn and £10bn, but would sit within the Government’s fiscal rules. A Hunt-linked consultancy has previously estimated the Windfall Tax on energy firms could be generating excess revenue for the Treasury.

Meanwhile, Energy UK chief executive Dhara Vyas confirmed to media that a bill rise from 1 July is now inevitable, describing the market as “wildly unpredictable” given daily swings in global gas prices. She backed targeted support and called for accelerated investment in clean power as the only sustainable long-term answer to energy price volatility.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition commented:

“There is broad agreement that targeted support for struggling households is needed while clean power and improved energy efficiency is the long-term solution.

“New polling makes clear that the public understands the urgency of the here and now. Over four in ten people say they simply cannot afford the expected rise in bills this July, with many more worried about the impact of oil and gas prices on energy bills.

“Ministers should set out what support will be available and use the receipts from the Energy Profits Levy to pay for it. This Windfall Tax retains the support of voters and given that two thirds of the public believe energy firms are already profiteering from the Iran conflict, it is no wonder that voters back the Levy by a two-to-one majority.

“The Government should be listening to that public consensus, not to the powerful oil and gas lobbyists calling for the Windfall Tax to be ended just as energy profits are set to spike again.”

Eight in ten people fear rising bills as voters back energy Windfall Tax

The majority of the public are worried about rising energy costs as a result of the conflict with in Iran, according to new polling by Survation for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition.

83% of the public are worried about energy bills and 44% say they would be unable to afford the expected £228 annual increase in energy bills from 1 July. 

A quarter of these respondents claim they would be “completely unable to pay my energy bill” if costs rose to this level.

As energy bills are set to rise, a majority of the public (64%) believe that the energy industry is profiteering from the conflict in Iran.

Over half (53%) of the population say that ending the Windfall Tax now would be the wrong thing to do (just 22% felt that it should be ended) as some industry groups have called for.

More generally, 41% of the public support the Windfall Tax on energy firms, compared to just 17% opposing it. Meanwhile, almost half (47%) believe that windfall taxes should actually be extended to more companies within the energy industry.

A windfall tax is an additional tax applied when companies make unusually high profits, often due to external factors rather than increased productivity or investment.

Support for the Windfall Tax remains among voters from all parties, according to the data. Among those intending to vote for Reform UK in the next general election, 39% support the Tax with just 24% opposing it. For those thinking of voting Conservative, 44% still support the Levy and 19% oppose it.

Among Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat voters, support is even stronger – as is support for extending the taxes to other sections of the industry.

Backing for the Windfall Tax was also strong in all areas of the country, with people in Wales polling the strongest support for the Levy. Earlier detailed polling in Scotland had shown 41% backing the Tax with 19% opposing it, but the new data suggests that this support has deepened with 44% now in favour of the Levy.

Recent figures have shown that the energy industry made £125bn in profits on their UK operations in the last 5 years and in the month since the conflict in the Middle East began, the share prices of energy companies have soared adding over £233bn to the market capitalisation of firms and resulting in a boost in the wealth of energy firm bosses.

Simon Francis, End Fuel Poverty Coalition coordinator said:

“Trump’s attacks on Iran, the damage to Qatari gas production and the disruption to supplies has led to spikes in the costs of heating oil and gas.

“But while households will feel the effects of this for months to come, the energy industry will continue to benefit from increased prices and a fresh wave of excess profits.

“Not only is the Windfall Tax vital in raising revenue to help those most affected from high energy bills, but this must also be the moment that the country unites to push for more support for energy efficiency measures and boosts renewable energy plans to bring down bills and secure our energy supply for the long-term.”

Robert Palmer, deputy director of Uplift said:

“Politicians calling for an end to the windfall tax just as the oil and gas giants are about to make billions in bumper profits are tone deaf.

“Instead of siding with the profiteering oil industry, political parties should be standing up for billplayers who are facing a steep Trump Tax on everything from their energy bills, to petrol and food.

“Last time, when Russia invaded Ukraine, oil companies didn’t invest their windfall profits in more drilling, instead executives and shareholders got windfall payouts. The government needs to tune out the barrage of special pleading by the oil firms and their political cheerleaders, and focus on real solutions to this crisis.

“The only way to bring down energy costs over the long term is to get off our reliance on oil and gas, and invest as fast as we can in renewables. More North Sea drilling will not take a penny off our bills, only boost the profits of fossil fuel companies.”

ENDS

Survation were commissioned by the End Fuel Poverty Coalition to interview 2,047 people from 2-7 April 2026. Data were weighted to the profile of the UK. Data was weighted by respondent’s sex, age, region, household income, highest qualification, and past vote (GE24, EU16).

Questions cited in the news story (some totals will not sum to 100% due to rounding, sample sizes in Northern Ireland are below 50 and should not be taken as representative)

An Energy Profits Levy (EPL) or ‘Windfall Tax’ was levied on oil and gas companies operating in the UK in May 2022 in response to record oil and gas industry profits and the rapid increase in energy costs following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is due to be in place until 2030. Do you support or oppose, or neither support nor oppose, the current windfall tax on oil and gas company profits?

  • Strongly support: 20%
  • Tend to support: 21%
  • Neither support nor oppose: 26%
  • Tend to oppose: 9%
  • Strongly oppose: 8%
  • Don’t know: 16%
Total Voting Intention
LAB CON RFM LD GRN OTH
Strongly support 19.77% 27.43% 19.27% 15.02% 28.16% 20.25% 19.21%
Tend to support 21.34% 25.40% 24.44% 23.82% 33.60% 23.49% 12.85%
Neither support nor oppose 26.42% 25.42% 29.44% 26.48% 19.82% 22.46% 26.61%
Tend to oppose 8.94% 9.66% 10.07% 12.22% 7.24% 8.09% 7.49%
Strongly oppose 8.05% 5.60% 8.68% 11.62% 1.78% 7.51% 8.11%
Don’t know 15.48% 6.49% 8.10% 10.84% 9.41% 18.20% 25.72%
NET: Support 41.11% 52.83% 43.71% 38.83% 61.76% 43.74% 32.07%
NET: Oppose 16.99% 15.27% 18.75% 23.84% 9.02% 15.60% 15.60%
Total Region
London South Midlands North England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland
Strongly support 19.77% 18.64% 20.93% 15.61% 17.62% 18.65% 24.55% 22.06% 35.86%
Tend to support 21.34% 27.41% 19.77% 21.47% 19.47% 21.19% 19.49% 25.48% 24.59%
Neither support nor oppose 26.42% 25.28% 29.91% 26.95% 27.42% 27.94% 20.17% 20.47% 8.62%
Tend to oppose 8.94% 11.65% 7.72% 9.64% 7.82% 8.72% 10.89% 4.71% 17.09%
Strongly oppose 8.05% 8.30% 7.46% 7.62% 8.41% 7.88% 8.90% 8.21% 10.33%
Don’t know 15.48% 8.71% 14.21% 18.72% 19.25% 15.61% 16% 19.07% 3.51%
NET: Support 41.11% 46.05% 40.70% 37.07% 37.09% 39.84% 44.04% 47.54% 60.45%
NET: Oppose 16.99% 19.95% 15.18% 17.26% 16.23% 16.60% 19.79% 12.92% 27.42%

“It would be wrong to scrap the Windfall Tax now.”

  • Strongly agree: 24%
  • Somewhat agree: 28%
  • Somewhat disagree: 14%
  • Strong disagree: 8%
  • Don’t know: 26%
Total Voting Intention
LAB CON RFM LD GRN OTH
Strongly agree 24.22% 31% 20.69% 24.95% 29.22% 31.93% 20.74%
Somewhat agree 28.44% 32.61% 38.78% 28.27% 33.37% 22.77% 24.39%
Somewhat disagree 13.98% 14.10% 13.22% 19.03% 10.82% 11.77% 11.66%
Strongly disagree 7.79% 7.40% 5.35% 8.05% 8.53% 8.73% 6.96%
Don’t know 25.57% 14.90% 21.97% 19.70% 18.07% 24.80% 36.25%
NET: Agree 52.66% 63.61% 59.47% 53.22% 62.58% 54.70% 45.13%
NET: Disagree 21.77% 21.50% 18.56% 27.08% 19.34% 20.50% 18.63%
Total Region
London South Midlands North England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland
Strongly agree 24.22% 25.73% 27.10% 21.52% 18.35% 23.42% 29.51% 26.40% 29.01%
Somewhat agree 28.44% 33.39% 25.43% 28.81% 29.63% 28.46% 23.80% 32.63% 34.61%
Somewhat disagree 13.98% 15.86% 11.76% 16.61% 13.68% 13.85% 14.51% 9.51% 24.13%
Strongly disagree 7.79% 8% 7.95% 8.78% 7.67% 8.04% 6.22% 6.66% 6.85%
Don’t know 25.57% 17.01% 27.75% 24.28% 30.67% 26.23% 25.96% 24.80% 5.39%
NET: Agree 52.66% 59.13% 52.54% 50.33% 47.99% 51.88% 53.31% 59.03% 63.62%
NET: Disagree 21.77% 23.86% 19.72% 25.39% 21.34% 21.89% 20.74% 16.17% 30.98%

Which of the following statements best describes your view?

  • Energy companies are profiteering from the conflict in Iran: 64%
  • Energy companies are not profiteering from the conflict in Iran: 15%
  • I don’t know: 21%

Which of the following comes closest to your view?

  • Windfall Taxes should be extended to more companies within the energy sector: 47%
  • Windfall Taxes should not be extended to more companies within the energy sector: 21%
  • Don’t know: 32%

How concerned are you about the potential rising costs for the following due to the conflict in Iran, if at all? – Energy bills

  • Very concerned: 55%
  • Somewhat concerned: 28%
  • Not very concerned: 8%
  • Not at all concerned: 4%
  • Don’t know: 5%
  • NET, concerned: 83%
  • NET, not concerned: 12%

Some predict average energy bills to increase by £228 per year in July. If your energy bill were to increase by this amount, which of the following statements best reflects your view?

  • I would be unable to afford this energy bill price increase: 44%
  • I would be able to afford this energy bill price increase: 38%
  • Don’t know: 15%
  • Prefer not to say: 3%

In the previous question you said that you would be unable to afford this energy bill price increase.In a scenario where your energy bill increased by £228, which of the following statements best reflects your view?

  • I would have to cut back on essential goods to afford to pay for my energy bill: 49%
  • I would be completely unable to pay my energy bill: 25%
  • I would have to cut back on luxury goods to afford to pay for my energy bill: 15%
  • I would be unable to afford this energy price increase, but I will not cut back on any spending to be able to pay for my energy bill: 9%
  • Don’t know 2%
  • Prefer not to say: 1%

Damage already done to UK household finances from Iran conflict

The ceasefire between America and Iran has seen the market prices of gas and heating oil reduce from peaks.

But one market analyst warned that “the two-week ceasefire is likely to be fraught with uncertainty, but for now there are hopes that it will be a precursor to a longer-lasting agreement. There is a chance that the cost-of-living crisis consumers are already having to deal with may not be quite as painful.”

In early trading [by 1000 8 April], UK gas prices remained 38% up year on year with Heating Oil wholesale costs up 78% on 2025.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:

“Despite the Iranian ceasefire, the damage has been done for households. The surges in oil and gas costs have already hurt household finances and will continue to have an impact on energy bills for months to come.

”Oil, LPG and gas costs have spent over five weeks at elevated levels hitting some households immediately and all households will feel the costs from 1 July when the next Ofgem price cap period starts.

”For as long as our energy system is hooked on oil and gas prices, history will keep repeating itself and our bills will be at the mercy of decisions taken by Trump, Putin and Gulf States.

”This must be the moment we push for more support for energy efficiency measures and renewable energy to bring down bills and secure our energy supply for the long-term.”

Ministers signal no energy bill help until autumn

Average energy bills have fallen by 7% (£9.75 a month) from 1 April under the Ofgem price cap, but the relief is expected to be short-lived.

Analysts forecast that average energy bills will rise to £1,929 from July to September, driven by a 33% increase in the cost of gas, caused by the impact of the Iran conflict on global energy markets.

The Prime Minister acknowledged today that the conflict will “affect the future of our country” and the Chancellor has said the Government is “preparing for all eventualities.” But speaking to the media, Rachel Reeves signalled that a package of support for energy bills is unlikely before the autumn, suggesting help would be timed to coincide with Ofgem setting the October price cap.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition commented:

“The fall in energy bills from 1 April offers brief relief for households, but the respite will be short-lived. Given the ongoing profits made by the energy industry, households deserve more than a temporary reprieve before prices rise again.

“For the millions of households already in energy debt to their suppliers, this is a real concern and risks pushing more people into crisis. Ministers have details for a Debt Relief Scheme on their desks and recommendations from experts on how to help these households, but have yet to sign off on the plans.

“The Government must use the window between now and July to act. That means targeted support for those hit first and hardest, including households off the gas grid and those on heat networks, faster action on energy debt, and preparations to bring costs down if prices deteriorate further.

“Increased Windfall Tax receipts from spiking North Sea profits should be used to fund that support. But beyond the immediate crisis, the only way to break this cycle for good is to insulate homes, expand homegrown renewables and reform electricity pricing so households see the real benefit of cheaper clean power.”

Households face summer price shock as energy cap forecast to rise

Household energy bills are now almost certain to increase from July as soaring gas wholesale costs are due to push up the Ofgem price cap.

Cornwall Insight said its prediction for the watchdog’s price cap from July to September now stands at £1,929 for a typical dual fuel household. This represents a rate £887 above winter 2020/21 and 23% higher than at the last general election.

But the new analysis marks a slight fall from forecasts earlier this month.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition commented:
“Households are staring at another energy bill shock after a brief fall in prices from 1 April to 30 June.

“This represents a £288 ‘Trump Tax’ added to energy bills because of the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on oil and gas prices.

“For the millions of households already in energy debt, this will be a real worry and risks pushing more people into crisis.

“Ministers must prepare to use increased Windfall Tax receipts to act. That means targeted support for households hit first and hardest, including those off the gas grid and on heat networks, alongside faster action on energy debt and preparations to bring down costs if prices spike further.

“But we cannot keep letting history repeat itself. The only way to break this cycle is to ramp up energy efficiency, roll out homegrown renewables and fix electricity pricing so households see the benefit of cheaper clean power.”

Social workers paying for people’s heating out of their own pockets

Research by the Social Workers Union has found that hundreds of social workers have felt compelled to personally fund basic essentials for the people they support, including food, clothing and energy prepayment meter top-ups.

Three quarters of union members who were affected by the issue were unable to claim back the costs they incurred. More than a quarter said they were dipping into their own pockets every month, with over a third saying it had put their own finances at risk.

Despite most social workers attempting to access foodbanks, council support funds and local charities, seven in ten emergencies left no time to navigate complex or slow bureaucratic systems. The Social Workers Union has warned that the Government’s new Crisis and Resilience Fund in England, due to begin on 1 April, may not go far enough to prevent social workers continuing to plug these gaps themselves.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Asked why they had resorted to providing direct financial support to service users, one social worker told researchers: “There are often several forms to fill out to request financial support which are declined anyhow by managers. To save time – something we don’t often have – I’ve paid for items myself.”

John McGowan, Social Workers Union (SWU) General Secretary, has warned the findings expose a “broken support system”:

“It cannot be right that social workers are left to plug the gaps in a broken support system with their own money. The data paints a stark picture of a safety net riddled with delays and gaps. The true test of the new Fund moving forward will be to see if it means that local and national governments act urgently to ensure help is there when it is needed.”

The Crisis and Resilience Fund is due to be used by the Government to also provide support to households using heating oil, this has now been extended to include homes who are reliant on LPG gas after pressure from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:

“These findings are a damning indictment of a support system that is failing people at their most vulnerable. When social workers are reaching into their own pockets to top up prepayment meters and keep someone’s heating on, that is not a gap in the system, it is a collapse.

“The new Crisis and Resilience Fund is a step forward, and the confirmation by Ministers that it will extend to households on heating oil and LPG in England is welcome. For the first time, some of the most exposed households, those off the gas grid and outside the protection of the energy price cap, will have access to emergency support.

“But the Fund will only work if it reaches people in time. Seven in ten emergencies left no time to navigate slow or complex systems. The Government must ensure the Fund is fast, accessible and properly resourced, so that social workers are never again left to pay for someone’s heating out of their own pocket.”