New research released today reveals people in Wirral are unlikely to seek help if they’re struggling to pay their energy bills, British Gas is urging residents who need help to access the support and services available in the city to assist them.

A study has found over almost three quarters of people* would rather wait until they should have paid their bills before seeking any help, with 14% of those admitting they’ve waited up to three months in the past.

Less than half (36%) said they would contact their energy provider to discuss their fuel debt, and a further 14% of people wouldn’t turn to anyone for help if they found themselves struggling to pay their bills.

The findings come during Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, which is being held today by charity National Energy Action.

Help is on hand

British Gas funds the British Gas Energy Trust, an independent charitable body which provides advice, support and funding to people who need urgent help to clear their energy debts.

Since April 2014, the Trust has funded an energy debt advisor at Energy Projects Plus, providing practical help to people across the region, via the centre on Falkland Road.

The Trust provides grants to people in need to help them clear their energy debts, provide them with payments to help with the repair or replacement of boilers, purchase energy efficient white goods, pay insolvency fees or provide assistance with funeral arrears.

Maureen Davies, British Gas Energy Trust Advisor based at Energy Projects Plus is encouraging people get in touch with them to talk about any issues they have with their fuel bills.

Maureen said: “There is a wealth of support out there for people who are struggling with energy bills, and we’re hoping Fuel Poverty Awareness day will help spread the message across Wirral so that people needn’t suffer in silence.

“The British Gas Energy Trust can help people manage their bills, make their homes more energy efficient and apply for help towards energy arrears to help get people back on track when it comes to their bills. I would encourage anybody in Wirral who is struggling with energy debt or heating their home to reach out to the Trust through their Energy Projects Plus advisor.”

For twenty years Energy Projects Plus has been leading the fight to combat fuel poverty in the Wirral region and beyond with a number of schemes to help those householders at risk. The Save Energy Advice Line – 0800 043 0151 – helps people find funding to install energy efficient measures and adopt energy efficient behaviours in their home through free, impartial and expert advice.

The Wirral Fuel Debt Advice Service can help people manage their fuel debt and in some cases get the debt completely written off. In addition, grants may be available for the installation of energy efficient measures such as a boiler and white goods, as well as help with funeral arrears. For more information and to speak in confidence to an impartial advisor, call 0800 043 0151.

Currently, we are taking registrations for the Merseyside Collective Switch. Thousands of people have joined the previous rounds of the Merseyside Collective Switch which has saved local people a total of £424,000 a year on their energy bills so far, with average savings of £212.

By switching energy suppliers together, we could all get a better deal on our energy bills.

To find out how much you could save join the switch today.