BRITAIN'S
ENERGY RETAILERS ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE
MORE 'ENERGY AWARE'
3rd January 2006
Current energy discussions are a reminder
to be more energy aware in the New Year
In the current context of energy being top
of the news agenda, increasing wholesale
energy prices, cold weather predictions
and increasing global demand for energy,
Britain’s electricity and gas retailers
are encouraging people to be more ‘energy
aware’.
“Energy is a precious resource and
we should not be complacent in the way we
use our electricity and gas. As part of
our New Year’s resolutions, we need
to be more energy aware and take a more
active interest in our gas and electricity
usage” says Duncan Sedgwick, Chief
Executive of the Energy Retail Association.
As part of an awareness campaign, Britain’s
six major household energy retailers are
encouraging people to take up the benefits
for which they are entitled. This is crucial
as research has found that 75% of vulnerable
people across Britain are not aware of the
help and services that are available to
them [Ofgem, 2005]. This is in conjunction
with an average of £1700 worth of
government benefits per person going unclaimed
every year [Powergen, 2005].
The Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) has
recently been launched by energy retailers
to help people having difficulty paying
their electricity and gas bills. Services
include grants, free insulation, energy
efficiency advice, benefits assessment and
tailored payment schemes. “It’s
crucial that people are aware of these services
and make the most of the help at hand from
organisations across the country”
says Duncan Sedgwick. The Home Heat Helpline
is just one of a number of initiatives being
introduced by the energy suppliers to help
vulnerable customers. Over the last three
years a total of £300m has been spent
on tackling fuel poverty and this will increase
to £700 over the next three years.
Niki Bowles, ERA Media and Communications
Manager on 0207 930 9181 or 07730 898 641
Russell Hamblin-Boone, ERA Head of Communitions
and Policy on 0207 930 9177 or 07810 374
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