The typical household, on a dual-fuel direct debit, will pay £1,923 in energy bills for the year from Sunday. Many could pay more depending on usage.
Usdaw conducted a survey of over 6,000 members, mainly key workers, and found that:
- Nearly 70% have struggled to pay energy bills in the past year, with 30% struggling to pay them every single month.
- Around a third no longer use their household heating.
- Over four-in-ten have cut down on other essentials such as food.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “We welcome any decrease in energy prices, but Sunday’s modest reduction in the cap offers little comfort to many low-paid households.
Energy costs remain shockingly high and, without a £400 energy support payment, households could end up paying more than last winter. Even as typical bills reduce to £1,923 per year that is still nearly double the prices being paid in February 2020.
“Along with eye-watering food inflation, it is little wonder that too many are low-paid workers are being forced to keep the heating off, avoid cooking meals and choose between eating and heating. Short-term support with ongoing cost of living pressures is not enough and the Government needs to deliver lasting solutions with a new deal for workers.
“The Government is not offering the change our members need. Labour is pledged to deliver a new deal for workers within 100 days of coming into government. The failures of thirteen years of the Conservatives in government are clear for everyone to see. Only a Labour Government can put Britain back on track.”
Labour’s New Deal for Workers includes:
- An end to insecure employment, tackling short hours by giving workers contracts that reflect their normal hours and a ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts.
- Minimum wage to become a real living wage, with the full rate to be paid to all workers from 18 years old.
- Introduction of a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker along with legislation to tackle third-party harassment.
- Single Enforcement Body to ensure targeted and proactive enforcement of workers’ rights.
- Action to make apprenticeships accessible to more workers, especially people who are currently disadvantaged in the labour market.
- Mental health care people need through 8,500 more mental health professionals, along with a plan to clear the Conservatives’ care backlog and build a system in the long-term that can provide care within a month.
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 350,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades
www.usdaw.org.uk
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