A social enterprise is set to be appointed to lead a fuel support project in Glasgow which will offer a combination of “top-up payments and energy advice” over the winter.
The Wise Group, which aims to lift people out of poverty, has been selected as the preferred provider of a £1m council scheme to support citizens struggling with soaring energy costs.
It would be required to provide fuel top-ups for both pre-paid and billed meters, direct support to apply for fuel write-offs, negotiate fuel debt arrangement on behalf of clients and arrange meter switching and heating system upgrades on behalf of citizens.
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A face to face home visiting service would also be available to clients. The project is set to start from October 1, the same day the energy price cap will rise by over 80%.
Glasgow City Council has set aside £1m for the project to provide citizens with a “combination of fuel top-up payments and energy advice” over the winter months. The city administration committee will be asked to approve appointing the social enterprise at a meeting on Thursday.
A report, to be delivered by Cllr Ricky Bell, the city treasurer, stated: “Increasing fuel costs are an area of genuine and growing concern for many residents.”
It added the city faces “significant challenges” as 44% of residents live in the 20% most deprived communities in Scotland and 26% of children are growing up in poverty.
“Inflation has reached a 40-year high, presently sitting at 9% [now 10.1%], at a time when businesses and households are still seeking to manage the impact from the Covid-19 pandemic,” Mr Bell said.
“Added to this is the dramatic rise in fuel costs. In April 2022 household energy bills rose by 54% with further significant increases likely again in October 2022 and January 2023.”
It has been announced today [August 26] that the energy price cap will rise again from October, lifting the average household’s yearly bill from £1,971 to £3,549.
The council’s fuel support package is on top of help announced by the UK Government in May, which will see a £400 non-repayable energy discount for eligible households from October.
Additional support is available to those most in need, including a £650 one-off payment for around eight million households on means tested benefits and a one-off £300 pensioner cost of living payment.
Mr Bell’s report added these payments “will be welcomed by citizens” but analysis has indicated “after the energy bill discounts are applied, the poorest households in the city will still be the worst affected”.
The report stated it is “still unknown how or when any funding from the Scottish Government may be allocated to fuel support” for 2022/23, but councillors are asked to note “the possibility of future funding”.
One delivery provider has been chosen to ensure citywide access to the Glasgow fuel support project, with referrals being made through Glasgow Helps.
Glasgow Helps, set up to help people find support during the pandemic, is an online directory of charities and voluntary organisations, coordinated by Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector. It is being used by teachers, social workers, health visitors and advice agencies to help people find a range of services.
The council report added all organisations and citizens should contact Glasgow Helps if they require a referral for a fuel top-up and/or energy advice when the project starts on October 1. A marketing campaign will be rolled out before the launch date.
The Wise Group aims to “build bridges to opportunity for the most vulnerable in our society” through mentoring support, employment, skills and energy advice.
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