British Gas has launched a scheme to help customers pay their energy bills as the cost of living crisis continues to pinch.
The British Gas Energy Trust was launched as part of the new Charitable Trust founded by the gas supplier to help customers suffering financial difficulty during the crisis. Under the new scheme, British Gas can offer help and support even to those who are with different providers, although grant applications for those with other suppliers have now closed. Applications remain open for British Gas customers.
The new support scheme comes after new research showed that four out of every 10 households will struggle to pay their next energy bill. The study, undertaken by YouGov and commissioned by British Gas, follows the announcement of Ofgem’s 54 per cent increase in bill cost which was implemented on April 1.
YouGov found that more than a third (35 per cent) of energy bill payers are “suffering in silence”, and attempting to hide their worries and concerns from those close to them., the Manchester Evening News reports. This is leading to increased anxiety (65%), lower self-esteem (18%), insomnia (18%), and is having a negative impact on the relationships of those affected (16%).
Rapper and mental health campaigner Professor Green has added his voice to the British Gas campaign, even starring in a short film to promote the scheme. He said: “Reading the Stop the Silence film script was an emotional experience. As many people know, my parents weren’t around growing up and my grandmother raised me on an estate in Hackney.
"Money was tight, and there was always stress about paying our energy bill. Advice and services, like those provided by British Gas Energy Trust, just weren’t available to us and those around me. I urge families and individuals suffering in silence to reach out to British Gas Energy Trust to get the help they so desperately need.”
Get help or advice from the British Gas Energy Trust here.
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