CYP Now - Energy price cap rise prompts urgent calls to help disadvantaged young people and families

Charities have called on the government to take swift action to help disadvantaged young people and families to cope with rising energy costs.

Charities have warned that the energy price cap rise will tip many families into acute poverty. Image: AdobeStock

The charities made the call following today’s (Friday) announcement by energy regulator Ofgem that the energy price cap is to rise substantially in the autumn.

The rise will mean the average annual cost of a household energy bill will go up by 80 per cent in October to £3,554.

Youth homelessness charity Centrepoint points out that the new cost of an average energy bill is more than the amount of universal credit a young person aged under 25 receives (£3,183) in a year.

Centrepoint says its own research has shown a quarter of homeless young people have £20 or less of monthly income left after rent and bills and warn that the latest energy price rises, alongside other rising costs of living, will leave many struggling to pay for food and other essentials.

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