After growing pressure from groups such as Fuel Poverty Action to tackle fuel poverty, Npower has launched the UK’s first fuel banks.
Families in poverty who are forced to switch off their gas and electricity supply because they are unable afford rising energy bills will be offered free charity fuel vouchers under the new scheme.
The scheme is being trialled in 21 locations and, if successful, will be rolled out nationwide.
These “fuel banks” will provide £49 credit for struggling families who use prepayment meters to stop the dilemma of “heat or eat” whether or not they are Npower customers. The credit would be enough to restore power, and keep lights and heating on for up to two weeks.
Npower head of policy and obligations Matthew Cole said:
“We are keen to do more and this new trial with food banks could be an important breakthrough. It will provide immediate and hassle free support to households where often the choice is between food or warmth.”
With more two million households live in fuel poverty in England, it was time the crisis was addressed.
While we are on board here at Business Juice, we just wonder if two weeks of free power is going to solve the issue long term.
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