A WOKINGHAM charity has written to the borough’s four MPs over concerns about the cost of living.
Citizens Advice Wokingham has provided more than 310 households with emergency fuel grants during the last month, as energy bills rise.
They have been awarded through the borough council’s Household Support Fund.
Jake Morrison, chief executive of the Wokingham charity, said that energy bills could rise by £700 in April when the price cap increases, pulling around two million people into fuel poverty overnight.
Citizens Advice reported that in December, there was a 100% increase in cases where people ran out of money to top up their prepayment meter.
“The cost of living crisis is almost unprecedented in terms of speed and scale,” it said.
The national organisation has proposed a package of support is quick, cost-effective and targeted at people on the lowest incomes.
It recommends four actions, the first being an Energy Support Grant distributed through the benefit system in April.
“Winter Fuel Payments of £100 to 300 are already paid to pensioners each year,” the charity reported. “An equivalent one-off payment could be paid to all Universal Credit and legacy benefits claimants, with an additional payment to low-income retired households in receipt of Pension Credit.
“This would put money in the pockets of those that need it most and is quicker and more administratively simple than extending the Household Support Fund.”
The charity recommends unprating benefits by the Bank of England forecast inflation rate of 6% for April.
“This is a cost neutral solution which would help ensure benefit levels reflect the current cost of living,” the charity said.
It also calls for the Warm Homes Discount to be temporarily extended, as well as increasing the level of the rebate, expanding the number of eligible households and supporting energy companies to provide extra financial assistance.
The final suggestion has been to spread the cost of supplier failures over two to three years.
“Current plans expect customers to pay off the majority of the Supplier of Last Resort Levy from April 2022,” the charity explained. “[This adds] an additional £94 to bills over and above planned bill increase.”
In the letter, Mr Morrison calls on the borough’s MPs to consider raising the proposals in parliament.
“By implementing targeted support that puts money in the pockets of those most in need, coupled with steps to stabilise the market and prepare for next winter, the government can address the most pressing aspect of the cost of living crisis while giving itself the breathing space to consider longer term options to protect households,” the charity said.
