‘Dangerous’ winter support gap identified for working parents and disabled people

Citizens Advice has warned of a dangerous winter support gap for working parents and disabled people, simply due to energy bills and lack of support.

The charity warns that failing to expand winter energy support beyond the current safety net risks bypassing some of the people struggling the most.

As typical annual energy bills are predicted to climb above £2,000 in January, combined with colder weather, this means average households could be paying £60 a month more on their bills between January and March.

For households already in a ‘negative budget’ (meaning income doesn’t cover basic essentials) this means finding an extra £180 over the post-Christmas period, precisely when debt issues usually reach their peak.

Citizen’s Advice say 65% of working parents not on means-tested benefits and seeking debt help from the charity are a part of this negative budget group, alongside many many more.

Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Our advisers are seeing disabled workers weighed down by massive energy debts, and parents who are working but still unable to cover the costs of basics for their family. That’s why we’re calling for a vital two-step approach this Budget.

“First, the government must provide immediate, expanded crisis support. Second, it must deliver on its existing commitments to upgrade leaky, cold and inefficient homes by fully funding the Warm Homes Plan.”

Citizens Advice wants the Chancellor to use the upcoming budget to commit to an additional crisis support payment on top of the Warm Home Discount this winter and expand support to people in receipt of Child Benefit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The charity says this will protect households with children and disabled households who desperately need help over the coldest months of the year, who currently fall outside the means-tested benefits criteria.