Tag: Energy Bills

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.”

Chancellor confirms energy bill support planning

The Chancellor has confirmed that contingency planning is under way for targeted energy bill support ahead of the expiry of the current Ofgem price cap at the end of June, as rising oil and gas prices driven by the Iran conflict threaten to push household bills higher from July.

Rachel Reeves told MPs that her approach to providing support would be responsive to the need and responsible in terms of protecting public finances.

The Chancellor said that support would be focused on those who need it most, indicating a preference for targeted help over a blanket approach. She pointed to the costs of the broad energy support package introduced during the Ukraine crisis as a reason to take a more focused approach.

A spokesperson for End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:
“Households need to know what the Chancellor’s ‘responsive and responsible’ mantra means in practice.

“The immediate priority must be a new Alternative Fuel Support Scheme for off-gas-grid households, price protection for heat network customers, action on record levels of energy debt and targeted reductions in unit rates from July for households including those with disabilities and long-term health concerns.

“The Chancellor must also commit to expanding and extending the Warm Homes Discount and reforming Cold Weather Payments before winter.

“The money is there. North Sea profits are rising alongside the same gas prices pushing up household bills. Being responsible with public finances means using subsequent tax revenues now to protect people, not waiting until the damage is done.“

The End Fuel Poverty Coalition recommended that the Government introduce a new, longer-term, Alternative Fuel Support Scheme for households relying on heating oil, LPG and other off-gas-grid fuels, as well as support for heat network customers who face rising commercial energy prices.

The proposal also recommends preparing a targeted reduction in energy unit rates from July if the Ofgem price cap rises significantly, alongside faster rollout of a national energy debt relief scheme to address record levels of household debt.

For the winter, the Coalition is calling for reforms to existing schemes including further expansion of the Warm Home Discount and strengthening Cold Weather Payments so support reaches vulnerable households earlier.

Ministers are also urged to speed up reform to electricity pricing and prepare a scalable universal support package that could be activated quickly if energy prices spike further.

Cobra must act on energy costs, not just talk

The Prime Minister has convened an emergency Cobra meeting to examine the cost-of-living impact of the Iran conflict, with oil and gas prices surging due to the threat of further escalation in the Middle East conflict.

For millions of households, the consequences are already landing. Heating oil prices have doubled in recent weeks for off-gas homes sitting outside the protection of the Ofgem price cap. And even before this latest spike, Cornwall Insight was already forecasting that average energy bills would rise to £1,973 from 1 July, a 20% increase on current levels and a figure that has almost certainly moved higher since.

The same price spike hitting households is generating a windfall for North Sea energy firms, and therefore for the Treasury through the Energy Profits Levy. New analysis published by the End Fuel Poverty Coalition shows that at prices seen in mid-March, those profits could generate over £200 million a month in additional Windfall Tax revenues, rising to more than £5 billion a year when combined with offshore corporation tax receipts.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said:

“People reliant on heating oil and gas cylinders to power their homes are already suffering from the oil and gas price spikes. Millions more households will face a 20% increase in their energy bills from July. For families who are already in debt and already struggling with energy bills, there is no more time to waste.

“North Sea energy firms are on course to make bumper profits as a direct result of this crisis, potentially generating hundreds of millions of pounds a month in additional Windfall Tax revenues at current prices. That money should be used to protect households from the bill rises heading their way. Every lever available includes the levers that take money from those profiting from this crisis and put it into the pockets of those suffering because of it.

“The Government should come out of the Cobra meeting with a clear commitment to targeted support for the households most at risk. The framework for that support must be ready to activate the moment the July price cap is confirmed. The lesson of the last energy crisis is that acting too slowly costs far more in the long run, both for households and for the public finances. The time to prepare that emergency support package is now.”

North Sea profits spike should be used to offset energy bill rises

North Sea energy firms are set to make bumper profits, which would lead to increased revenues for the Government under the Windfall Tax, according to new figures reported exclusively in the Mirror.

Fossil fuel costs surged again late last week as attacks on energy sites in Iran and Qatar were followed by threats from US President Donald Trump to “massively blow up” a key Iranian gas field.

The data shows that for every month that energy prices remain at levels seen on 18th March 2026, profits from these prices could result in over £200m in revenue through the Energy Profits Levy. If prices stayed at this level, this would result in annual income of over £2.4bn. [1]

If combined with additional offshore corporation tax revenue on energy firms’ profits, the totals increase even further to £427m a month or £5.1bn a year. [2]

While the Ofgem energy price cap is set to fall slightly from April 2026, rising wholesale gas prices mean bills will rise sharply again from 1 July. Some households are already feeling the impact of rising costs. Off-gas households relying on heating oil have reported refill prices doubling in recent weeks, LPG customers are facing rising prices and some heat network customers could soon face steep increases as energy supply contracts expire.

The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has recently asked the Government to prepare an emergency energy support framework to protect households from rising gas and oil prices which will filter onto energy bills [3].

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said:

“Anyone still arguing against the Energy Profits Levy should hang their head in shame. Whenever oil and gas prices spike, energy industry profits rise while households are left to face higher bills, deeper debt and impossible choices.

“It is only fair that these windfall profits help households who will suffer as a result of the increases in energy bills.

“Our message to ministers is simple. Help the hardest-hit households first and be ready to move fast if this crisis gets worse. That means urgent support for off-gas homes and heat network customers, targeted bill cuts if prices rise again, action on energy debt and stronger winter protection.

“It would protect people now while longer-term reforms bring bills down for good.”

Since 2020, energy firms have already made more than £125bn in profits on their UK operations.

In Scotland, recent polling showed that voters across the political spectrum backed the Windfall Tax on energy profits in its current form.  Frazer Scott, Chief Executive of Energy Action Scotland, commented:

“The current crisis shows that energy companies continue to make excessive profits at the expense of people. People who cannot heat their homes to a safe level and are burdened by £5.5bn of unrepayable domestic energy debt. Until there is reform that puts people at the heart of the energy system it is right for big business to put its fair share back to help those that need it most.”

Uplift Deputy Director Robert Palmer, said:

“Billpayers didn’t ask for this war and are now facing a huge Trump Tax on petrol, mortgages and food, with sky high energy bills looming once the current price cap ends. Yet once again, as we saw in Ukraine, oil and gas companies are profiting from what is a humanitarian crisis.

“The extra billions they stand to make from the crisis should be taxed and used to support people through the economic pain that’s on its way. Ultimately the only way to bring down bills over the long term is to get off our reliance on oil and gas, and invest as fast as we can in renewables.”

Jonathan Bean, spokesperson for Fuel Poverty Action, said:
“Instead of the £300 bill saving the Government promised us, we now face a £300 bill jump from July. The Government failed to fix the market after the 2022 crisis, so we’ve been left vulnerable to price spikes. The Prime Minister needs to get a grip on the obscene profiteering from war, close windfall tax loopholes, and bring down our bills.”

ENDS

The End Fuel Poverty Coalition brings together more than 100 charities, health organisations, housing groups, trade unions and consumer bodies working to end fuel poverty across the UK.

[1] OBR March 2025 ready reckoners (fetched 17 March 2026), applied to OBR March 2026 EFO baseline prices. Prices assumed: $100 barrel for oil and 130p/therm gas. This calculation was made before the additional spike in prices caused by the attacks on Iranian and Qatari gas facilities on 19th March, so the figures could be higher if current prices are sustained. .

[2] Prior to the latest escalation in prices and before the OBR updated its ready reckoners on the 17th of March analysis for Granville Partners, a consultancy firm run by former Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s ex-chief of staff estimated the total extra tax revenue at £2.7bn. This could now be at the lower end of expectations and may not be directly comparable with the analysis above.

[3] The Coalition’s proposals focus on targeted support for households most exposed to high energy costs, while retaining the ability to expand support more widely if the crisis deepens.

The immediate measures recommended include a new, longer-term, Alternative Fuel Support Scheme for households relying on heating oil, LPG and other off-gas-grid fuels, as well as support for heat network customers who face rising commercial energy prices.

The proposal also recommends preparing a targeted reduction in energy unit rates from July if the Ofgem price cap rises significantly, alongside faster rollout of a national energy debt relief scheme to address record levels of household debt.

For the winter, the Coalition is calling for reforms to existing schemes including further expansion of the Warm Home Discount and strengthening Cold Weather Payments so support reaches vulnerable households earlier.

Ministers are also urged to speed up reform to electricity pricing and prepare a scalable universal support package that could be activated quickly if energy prices spike further.

The Coalition says the proposals are designed to complement longer-term policies such as the Government’s Warm Homes Plan and Clean Power Plan, which aim to reduce energy bills permanently by improving energy efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Households face a fresh energy bill threat as gas prices hit three-year high

Gas prices have soared to a three-year high and oil prices increased further as the Middle East conflict escalates.

Attacks on energy sites in Iran and Qatar were followed by threats from US President Donald Trump to “massively blow up” a key Iranian gas field.

UK natural gas prices spiked by more than 124% month-on-month and 65% up year-on-year, the highest level since the conflict escalated at the end of February. [1]

While the FTSE100 is trading down 1.9% shares in energy firms have risen, taking share price gains by these firms since the conflict started to close to 10%. [2]

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:

“These gas and oil prices haven’t been seen since the winter of 2022/23 when an Energy Price Guarantee was needed to protect households from the worst excesses of our exposure to global markets. The reality is that households will face a ‘Trump Tax’ on their energy bills as a result of this war and the case for Government action to support households is becoming impossible to ignore.

“We have written to Ministers with proposals to ensure support reaches the households most exposed to high energy costs first, while giving Government the ability to scale up help quickly if the crisis continues.

“That means immediate support for households relying on heating oil, LPG and other off-gas fuels, help for heat network customers facing rising commercial energy prices, and targeted reductions in energy bills from July when the price cap rises. It also means faster action on energy debt, stronger winter support through the Warm Home Discount and reformed Cold Weather Payments, and an overhaul of electricity pricing so households are not left paying more than they should.

“These are practical steps that can protect people now while complementing longer-term plans such as the Warm Homes Plan and moves to renewables, which are essential to bringing bills down for good.”

Jess Ralston, Head of Energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said:

“This will be a major concern to bill payers, many of who are still carrying debt from the last gas crisis when Russia invaded Ukraine. That led to taxpayers having to step in essentially subsidising gas for millions of homes to the tune of tens of billions. And let’s be clear trying to squeeze more gas out of the North Sea has no real impact on the price households pay because its set by international markets and these kind of world events caused by foreign actors like Putin.

“Put simply, if you want to insulate yourself from these kind of price shocks, use less gas. British wind and solar farms lower our dependence on foreign gas, as do net zero technologies like electric heat pumps and this helps with bill stability. British wind power lowered wholesale prices by a third last year. These are permanent solutions, whereas the North Sea is a mature basin running out of oil and gas, quicker drilling means it runs out quicker.”

[1] Trading Economics, 0930 Thursday 19 March.

[2] Bloomberg data on End Fuel Poverty Coalition share price watch list of 15 listed firms involved in the UK energy sector.

Wet weather, rising bills and cold homes are putting lung health at risk

New warnings from Asthma + Lung UK show how wet weather and the threat of higher energy bills are combining to put people with lung conditions at greater risk.

The charity says damp and mould can trigger asthma attacks, chest infections and hospital admissions, while 17% of people with lung conditions say they struggle to keep their home adequately warm.

That warning comes as evidence continues to mount about the health impact of poor housing. Separate figures reported in the Independent suggest that in 2024 there were just under 40,000 NHS hospital admissions where cold homes, damp, mould or poor housing conditions were recorded as contributing factors to serious respiratory and cardiovascular illness.

But there is also clear evidence that home upgrades can improve health. A recent case study in York highlighted how energy efficiency improvements helped an older resident end years of breathing difficulties and financial stress, stay warmer and feel better at home.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said:

“For people with asthma, COPD and other lung conditions, a cold, damp home can be dangerous to their health.

“After one of the wettest winters on record, many households are already dealing with damp and mould. Now the oil and gas price crisis is raising the threat of higher bills, which could leave even more people cutting back on heating or unable to keep their homes dry and safe.

“Ministers need to act on two fronts at once. They must get the Warm Homes Plan moving for the coldest and dampest homes, and make sure emergency bill support is ready if this fossil fuel price crisis deepens. This includes targeting any financial support available at those who have long-term lung problems as one of the priority groups.

“No one should be made ill because they cannot afford to heat their home.”

Dr Andy Whittamore, a GP and clinical lead at Asthma + Lung UK, said:

“Even before events in the Middle East raised the spectre of higher energy bills, we were already concerned about the wet weather increasing damp and mould and affecting people’s health.

“For the seven million people in the UK living with asthma and the three million people living with COPD being exposed to a trigger like mould can bring on a potentially fatal asthma attack, or cause a COPD flare-up requiring hospitalisation.”