LucidTalk – NEA NI: September 2023 – Northern Ireland (NI) Attitudinal Poll

Children’s development could become “blighted” by the energy crisis. 

Energy experts Cornwall Insight predicted that when the price cap rises in October, the average energy bill could reach £3,250 per year, with bills expected to increase by over 60%.

LucidTalk – NEA NI: Northern Ireland (NI) Omnibus Poll Question Results General Report

On Friday 1st April an average of over 22 million domestic energy customers across Great Britain will see their home energy bills soar by £700 per year to almost £2,000. An increase of over 54%.

Over the last number of months, NEA has experienced a significant rise in the number of households seeking emergency support. Unfortunately, we expect this trend to continue as we believe as many as 40% of households might now be struggling due to the spiralling energy costs. Ahead of the upcoming Assembly Election, NEA are calling on politicians to commit to tackling the Energy Crisis head on. Below, we outline our key asks which we believe will assist in easing the pressures on vulnerable households in Northern Ireland, both in the short and longer term.

Chancellor urged to rethink ‘heat now, pay later’ rebate and protect low-income and vulnerable households from soaring energy bills.

Soaring increases mean the cost of heating an average home will have doubled in 18 months and the in fuel poverty will also soar from 4 million to 6.5 million households across the UK

This policy briefing highlights the positive steps that can be taken now by the UK Government and energy regulator Ofgem to respond to the current energy crisis and support vulnerable energy customers this winter. It is hoped that this will prompt policy interventions in advance of Ofgem announcing in February the next revision to the energy price cap.