Energy · Bills & suppliers · 30 October 2026
Charity criticises £100 energy bill support in Budget
National Energy Action has said the £100 payment in the Budget is insufficient for vulnerable households. The charity argues this does not match the 72% rise in bills since October 2021. A debt relief scheme is planned for next spring.
The government has announced a £100 cash payment for households in council tax bands A to D as part of its Budget. National Energy Action has responded by describing the measure as inadequate. The organisation highlights that energy bills for a typical household are forecast to reach £2,192 by January 2027.
Adam Scorer, Chief Executive of National Energy Action, stated: "A £100 cost-of-living payment is a gesture, not a material difference." He noted that bills have risen by £915 since October 2021, a period when costs were last at similar levels in 2022. The charity contends that the payment does not address the scale of the increase for those in greatest need.
Under the plans, the support is targeted specifically by council tax band, a method the charity criticises citing past failures. National Energy Action states that many recipients of the payment will not need it, while vulnerable people continue to struggle. The guidance adds that there is no guarantee people can use the funds to stay warm.
A debt relief scheme is also planned for next spring, according to the announcement. The charity notes that the government could have targeted those in greatest need more directly. Figures published with the announcement show the significant gap between the support offered and the forecast cost of living.
Written by StreetOwl from National Energy Action, a charity’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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