Residents encouraged to seek support with water and energy bills

In April, Ofgem introduced a 6.4 per cent increase in the Energy Price Cap. That means that a household using an average amount of gas and electricity will now spend an extra £111 a year on their bill. Meanwhile, local water provider, Thames Water, has increased water bills, with an average annual bill rising by £123.

The council is encouraging residents affected by the rise in energy costs to contact their supplier as soon as they can. Suppliers must work to agree on a payment plan under Ofgem rules. This includes reviewing a plan that has been previously agreed.

Support is also available with water bills, with Thames Water providing financial support to those in need. This can include Thames Water’s WaterHelp scheme, for those whose water bill is more than five per cent of their net income. Residents on a water meter, who find it hard to save water because they have a large family or water-dependent medical condition, may also be able to cap the amount of water they are charged for through the Thames Water WaterSure scheme.

Prior to seeking additional grants, residents have been encouraged to use the free access and support provided in part by the Council’s contribution to the operating costs of Citizens Advice Swindon. This can be accessed either by calling 0808 278 7813 or popping in during a drop-in session at Sanford House (SN1 1HE). Citizens Advice signpost residents to the best grants and schemes that fit independent needs.

In 2024, the charity saw a 15 per cent increase in people accessing support to pay energy and water bills compared to 2023. In total, they helped 10,234 people with 50,299 problems. The charity was also able to create a gain of £6.5m in income grants for local people and £9.7m worth of personal debt management for residents.

Cllr Jim Grant, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, recently visited Citizens Advice Swindon to find out more about the support available locally. Following the visit, Cllr Grant said: “My plea to affected residents is simple: make sure you access the support available if you need it.

“We fund organisations like Citizens Advice Swindon to help support local residents who may struggle to pay for necessities.

“They can help residents get access to financial support and other streams of income, while other organisations also have schemes to help those struggling to pay their bills.

"It is important to remember that energy suppliers have a responsibility to work with you to agree repayment plans.

“In addition to the work of Citizen Advice, the Warm & Safe Wiltshire Service is also available on 0800 038 5722 to provide free and impartial energy-saving advice to help residents manage their energy costs and keep their homes warm. It has a track record of helping many thousands to save money on their energy bills.”