Rising energy bills are leading to anxiety, sleepless nights and lower self-esteem, new research has found. The dramatic increase in gas and electricity costs will see millions struggle to pay bills with many suffering in silence.
To encourage people to seek help, and to stop the silence around energy debt, has seen British Gas team up with rapper and mental health campaigner Professor Green, currently starring in BBC One reality show Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof. The cost of living crisis is putting household finances under increasing pressure, with inflation set to go to 10 per cent and interest rates now at one per cent.
To raise awareness of support available, British Gas has created an emotive film. The poignant film, by award winning director, Geej Ower, sees a single dad silently struggling with the emotional impact of not being able to pay his bills, without confiding in those around him.
The British Gas Energy Trust runs a £6m fund for British Gas customers to provide grants between £250 and £750 to those struggling with energy costs - and many suppliers offer similar funds.
Professor Green lends his voice to the emotional film, and shares his own experiences of growing up in Hackney with his grandmother having to regularly make the devastating choice between paying bills and eating a hot meal. You can see the film at the top of this article.
He said: “Reading the Stop the Silence film script was an emotional experience. As many people know, my parents weren’t around growing up and my grandmother raised me on an estate in Hackney.
"Money was tight, and there was always stress about paying our energy bill. Advice and services, like those provided by British Gas Energy Trust, just weren’t available to us and those around me. I urge families and individuals suffering in silence to reach out to British Gas Energy Trust to get the help they so desperately need.”
Four in ten households will struggle to pay their next energy bill according to new YouGov research commissioned by British Gas released. The recent energy price tariff increase coupled with the rising cost of living is set to push millions more households below the poverty line.
It showed that more than a third (35%) of energy bill payers are suffering in silence by keeping their worries from their loved ones. These internal struggles are also manifesting themselves in increased anxiety (65%), lower self-esteem (18%), insomnia (18%), and have a negative impact on the relationships of those affected (16%).
The research also revealed women are experiencing higher rates of stress than men (73% v 61%) as a result of struggling with the rising cost of living. British Gas Energy Trust says many of the households living in fuel poverty in the UK could reduce their bills by reaching out to them.
Many people have already found their way out of energy debt by speaking to one its dedicated advisors but just 39% of those suffering are aware of the financial support services available.
British Gas Energy Trust Chief Executive, Jessica Taplin, said: “The Trust’s mission is to help alleviate the detrimental impact of poverty – for many of our programmes you don’t need to be a British Gas customer to access support. 83% of grant funding from British Gas Energy Trust supports vulnerable customers from other providers.
"Therefore, we would encourage everyone to seek help during this incredibly difficult time, whether it’s from us or from your own provider. The Trust provides direct energy grants and also funds money and energy advice charities across England, Scotland and Wales – these dedicated organisations work within their community to help find a way of improving people’s situations”.
