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Money Box

Energy Bill Support and Christmas Cheer!

Jan 18, 2025
Ellen Fraser from Boringa, a management consultancy focused on energy issues, discusses the soaring energy costs this winter and the available support for struggling customers. She emphasizes the importance of communication with suppliers to navigate debt. The conversation also touches on inspiring recovery stories from scams and guidance for navigating universal credit. Additionally, insights into the property market reveal challenges faced by first-time buyers against a backdrop of rising mortgage rates. The festive spirit is also reflected as listeners share their experiences.
24:20
Creator website

Episode guests

Ellen Fraser

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Energy suppliers are providing substantial financial and practical support options to help customers manage rising winter energy bills effectively.
  • The expansion of government-funded childcare hours is a vital resource for working parents, significantly alleviating their monthly expenses and encouraging early applications.

Deep dives

Support Programs for Energy Customers

Several energy suppliers in the UK have introduced various support programs to assist customers struggling with bills during the winter months. The largest suppliers, such as Octopus and British Gas, operate a scheme called 'YouPay, WePay' that matches payments made by customers in debt, while British Gas Energy Trust offers grants up to £2,000 to anyone in need, regardless of their supplier. Alongside direct financial assistance, companies like EDF and OVO help customers by connecting them to charities or other organizations to ensure they can access all benefits and hardship funds available to them. In addition to financial aid, some suppliers provide practical support such as debt management plans and increases in home energy efficiency, indicating a multifaceted approach to tackling customer debt.

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