Together for Short Lives has welcomed the government’s decision to freeze average annual household energy bills at £2,500 for two years from 1 October. But we have warned that much more is needed to help families of seriously ill children afford the extra energy they need to keep them alive.
The energy price cap – the maximum amount utility companies can charge customers on standard tariffs – had been due to rise to £3,549 from 1 October for households in England, Scotland and Wales.
Families of disabled children incur disproportionately higher energy costs. Research shows that families with seriously ill and disabled children are already paying almost double that of an average UK household on their energy bills. This might be due to life-saving equipment powered by electricity or extra washing due to continence issues.
Some disabled children are less mobile and get colder quicker. Others have health conditions that mean they can’t regulate their body temperature.
Andy Fletcher, Chief Executive of Together for Short Lives, said:
“Today’s announcement averts some of the costs that families of seriously ill children could have been hit with in October. But with bills still expected to rise on their current levels, families are very worried about how they will afford the cost of providing complex care for their child at home.”
“I call on the government to go further by providing an energy assistance payment for families of seriously ill children who are unable to access medical grants from the NHS, and to double this month’s £150 disability payment to reflect their higher household and energy costs.”
“I also support calls for an emergency uprating of benefits in line with current inflation rates, which should come into effect in Autumn. Social tariffs should be explored as a long-term solution to reducing energy bills for household with high energy usage due to disability.”
“Time is short for families of seriously ill children. The new government should act now.”
“Today’s announcement averts some of the costs that families of seriously ill children could have been hit with in October. But with bills still expected to rise on their current levels, families are very worried about how they will afford the cost of providing complex care for their child at home.”
Andy Fletcher, Chief Executive, Together for Short Lives