Ben Saltmarsh

'Today’s figures lay bare the scale of the challenge - but also the opportunity.' Head of National Energy Action Cymru Ben Saltmarsh responds to new fuel poverty statistics that reveal a quarter of households in Wales are in fuel poverty.

'It is a relief that it will now go to so many more pension-age households who really need it.' Our Head of Policy Matt Copeland responds to news that over 75% of pensioners will now get the Winter Fuel Payment.

Suppliers commit to a further £18.6million customer compensation and debt write off following Ofgem’s prepayment meter review Energy suppliers that fell short of required standards when trying to recover debt by installing involuntary prepayment meters will pay £18.6million in compensation and debt write off.

Ofgem says these suppliers 'fell short of required standards when trying to recover debt'.

Its enforcement investigations into three other suppliers are continuing.

www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-releas...

ICYMI: Eight suppliers have committed to pay £18.6m in compensation and debt write off following the scandal of forced prepayment meter installations.

Sits alongside stricter standards introduced by Ofgem following concerted pressure from many at the time, incl. a welcome Senedd Committee inquiry.

NB: Standing charges from 1 July 2025:

North Wales & Mersey: £357/year
South Wales: £290/year
London: £270/year

The rates we pay in Wales remain higher, also.

What will cost, on average, £1,720 by direct debit across GB, costs £1,820 in north Wales (£100 higher) and £1,745 in south Wales.

The 1st and 3rd most expensive regions throughout GB, respectively.

'A short fall from a great height.'

Energy bills to decrease for first time in a year from July, down 7%, and roughly back to January's levels.

Welcome. Yet still out of reach for so many. Lots of whom find themselves saddled with crushing levels of energy debt, after four years of pain.

Wonderful to see lots of friendly faces at our North Wales Fuel Poverty Forum this morning with Ofgem and Charis Grants. Thanks to all who shared their insights into vulnerability, debt and what additional support is needed to help those in difficulty.

Fantastic turnout at our Fuel Poverty Forum this morning with Ofgem and over 65 colleagues from across south Wales. We're talking about vital topics with a focus on vulnerability, debt, and how we’ll heat our homes going forward.

Fuel Poverty in Wales | Senedd Senedd

Our evidence has informed the Senedd Equality and Social Justice Committee's latest report on #FuelPoverty in Wales. Take a look at its recommendations here: business.senedd.wales/mgIssueHisto...

Our #FuelPoverty Forums are back in May. If you're working to make sure more people in Wales can live in a warm, safe and healthy home, register here: www.nea.org.uk/fuel-poverty...

Look at that Welsh sunshine! ☀️

We're recruiting a Head of People and Culture. They'll embed our values and behaviours, ensure legal compliance and promote inclusion and diversity. Apply here: buff.ly/Ngr7w7T

Our Director of Policy Peter Smith is on @bbcradio4.bsky.social @moneybox.bsky.social with @paullewismoney.bsky.social now, speaking about standing charges. He's discussing regional variations across GB and Ofgem’s new consultation on requiring energy suppliers to offer zero standing charge tariffs

NB: Standing charges from 1 April 2025:

North Wales & Mersey: £374/year
South Wales: £309/year
London: £289/year

Comes alongside welcome plans to accelerate a debt relief scheme from Ofgem too. More on that in due course.

Welsh Government’s Warm Homes Programme budget remains at £37.5m for 2025/26. If you're eligible, it can make a big difference. We will need to ramp up scale.

Today, UK Govt has announced plans to expand the Warm Home Discount for next winter to *all* households in receipt of means-tested benefits.

Broader, easier to access, and less complex than before. Albeit still only £150 (having only risen £10 in a decade).

bsky.app/profile/nea-...

Things don't have to be this way.

We need enduring solutions to this systemic problem.

Targeted bill support to make energy affordable for those most in need. A debt relief scheme to provide a fresh start. And a Warm Homes Programme deep enough to make their homes warm, healthy places to live.

Like @citizensadvice.bsky.social Cymru, our insights indicate some fare worse than others too - especially low-income households, disabled, and those with long-term health conditions.

Older households more likely to ration. Younger more likely to fall into debt.

Few things are more essential than heat and power.

Yet, people continue to ration their heating, fall into record levels of energy debt, and go without everyday necessities.

@nea-cymru.bsky.social's new polling with YouGov shows:

Welsh Govt’s estimates highlight up to 98% of low-income households in Wales could be in #FuelPoverty, as of April 2022 when average prices were £2,000 across GB.

Based on Ofgem’s previous way of working (used at time), April 2025’s average of £1,849 is actually £1,938.

Only marginally lower now.

From April: £1,849 per year by direct debit. £1,803 by prepay. £1,969 by standard credit.

As ever, the rates we pay in Wales are higher too.

What costs, on average, £1,849 by direct debit across GB, costs £1,947 (!) in north Wales and £1,873 in south Wales. 1st and 3rd most expensive regions.

Third price cap rise in a row.

Up 10% in October. 1% in January. 6% in April.

The cost of energy remains stubbornly high - far beyond pre-crisis levels - and out of reach of thousands of the poorest households in Wales.

Following the energy price cap announcement, our Head @bensaltmarsh.bsky.social says that the cost of energy remains 'out of reach for hundreds of thousands of the poorest households across Wales'. (1/2)

Backlash over energy standing charges shake-up Charities and energy providers have criticised plans to change the way standing charges on gas and electricity bills are paid.

While a new 'zero standing charge' price cap tariff will benefit some, there are very real and legitimate concerns expressed in here that remain unaddressed.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

We're recruiting a Training and Assessment Officer. They will act as course tutor and examiner, responsible for delivering our training courses and qualifications to a wide range of organisations. Find out more and apply here: https://buff.ly/4i2IRB0

Today, @cornwallinsight.bsky.social has revealed its final prediction for the April energy price cap. With costs expected to rise by 5%, our Chief Executive @adamscorer.bsky.social says, 'There is no getting used to this new normal for the people we try to help.'

'It should not fall to a charity like us to address the failings of government schemes and commercial firms' - our Chief Executive Adam Scorer on the damage failed retrofit schemes can do and why we stepped in to help householders in Preston.(1/2)

Our Radio Teleswitch (RTS) webinar is live today. 11am-12.30pm. Feat. Ofgem and Energy UK.

Join us if you can. It’s not too late to register 👇

Long-awaited consultation on new PRS MEES across England and Wales.

Some of the leakiest homes, occupied by some of the most vulnerable households.

UK Govt proposing EPC C by 2030 (up from E), with landlords spending up to max. cap of £15k (or £10k if eligible for affordability exemption).