NEWS: ‘The energy crisis is far from over’ – Groundwork releases the results of Green Doctor survey
Groundwork has released the results of their annual survey of Green Doctors – energy efficiency advisers working for the charity – which paints a troubling picture of the realities for people trapped in fuel poverty across the UK.
Key findings include:
- 94% of Green Doctors reported supporting households that did not use their central heating at all.
- 85% said they had worked with people cutting back on food or only eating cold meals.
- 68% say they’ve spoken to people who have had to borrow money – either as credit cards or loans or through informal borrowing from friends and family.
One Green Doctor commented: “We’re seeing people choosing between which bills to pay and whether to eat meals, and many don’t even consider putting on the heating. It’s heart-breaking and infuriating. They energy crisis is far from over – there are so many people and families in urgent need of help.”
“We do everything in our power to advise on how to manage energy use and stay efficient, and how to access energy support, but there’s only so much our service can do – and there are many thousands of households that we simply aren’t able to get to yet.”
‘This is affecting people from all walks of life’
The Green Doctors have seen a surge in demand for their service this year as the energy crisis continues, with 94% saying it had increased from last year.
Tellingly, 64% reported seeing shifts in the demographics using the Green Doctors service including an increase in the number of elderly people, families, and those who may have previously been considered ‘affluent’ needing support.
The energy efficiency experts also called for changes to the way support is provided by government, both to increase the level of help available and to reflect the fact that many people desperately in need of support fall outside current eligibility criteria.
One Green Doctor said: “We have seen a huge year-on-year increase in the number of people who would not usually access our services coming forwards asking for advice and support. It’s hard to really explain the scale of the problem to people. This is affecting people from all walks of life, forcing them to make near-impossible choices about when to eat, when to pay bills, how to stay warm. We simply shouldn’t be in that position.”
Support where it’s most needed
Groundwork has developed a new section of its website – at getenergyhelp.org.uk– to provide clear, concise advice on reducing bills, saving energy, and staying warm. Here, users can find out if a Green Doctor is available to support them, and explore important information, handy tips, and helpful guidance.
Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK Chief Executive said: “Our Green Doctors continue to do incredible work in very challenging circumstances, and we value enormously the support we get from our local and national partners to maintain and expand our service. But there is simply not enough resource available to meet demand, and the nature of that demand is changing as more people fall into the trap of fuel poverty.
“We know what’s needed – in the short term simpler, more stable funding models so we can help those worst off to make best use of the help they’re getting and preserve as much warmth as they can, including a new ‘social tariff’. In the longer-term we need proper investment in making sure our homes are more energy efficient in the first place.
“Our new online tool will help those people our Green Doctors can’t visit understand what they can do themselves to save energy, reduce bills, stay warm and access extra support. We hope it will help people who feel overwhelmed by the situation they’re in, but also help other advice workers and home visitors to point people in the right direction.”
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact: media@groundwork.org.uk
About Groundwork
Groundwork is a federation of charities with a collective mission to take practical action to create a fair and green future in which people, places, and nature thrive. We support communities and businesses to build capacity and resilience in order to tackle hardship, achieve a just transition to net-zero and help nature recover in a way that reduces inequality and leads to healthier, happier lives for all: www.groundwork.org.uk