Every day, our mentors help people struggling to meet their energy needs across the UK. COVID-19 has brought about a surge of 189% in households seeking our energy advice and accelerated the adoption of rationing energy with over a quarter of respondents claiming to do so year-round. Our report – Lights Off to Lights On – presents solutions. By focussing on the root cause of individuals rationing and self-disconnecting their energy supply, and how vulnerable households see themselves contributing to net zero, the report presents recommendations and examples of successful mentorship which can help make fuel poverty history.
The report, which gathered information through surveys and interviews with Wise Group customers, found a large proportion of respondents were rationing or self-disconnecting their energy supply. Of that number, 83% were doing so every week. Rationing or self-disconnecting is now a year-round habit. This group was also over ten times more likely to be using electric heating than the ONS average and could be found in both the most and least deprived postcodes. In keeping with our values, this report celebrates individual difference through adopting a qualitative approach in the second part to substantiate our statistical findings at the human level.
We have shone a light on the problems, but also the solutions. One of these solutions is quality mentorship to find and help the difficult to reach. Once found and mentored in energy support strategies, 95% of those surveyed felt confident in managing their energy usage independently going forward. Putting people on course to a secure and sustainable future is essential in keeping people out of fuel poverty for good.
This is the first in a series of reports produced by the Wise Group, driven by the complimentary desires to enhance our enterprise through data driven insights as well as to contribute even further to public discourse. As we emerge from COVID-19, the ending of fuel poverty, together with the attainment of net zero, must form the backbone of recovery. Solve it, and everyone will benefit socially, physically, financially and culturally. It is now up to you to consider these findings and reflect on how we can build a future where everyone can live happy, healthy and sustainable lives. Let’s make fuel poverty history, together.
Read the full report here > Reports – The Wise Group
