.svg)
The energy price cap in Great Britain will rise by 13% from July, the regulator Ofgem announced this morning. It means households will face the steepest summer rise in energy charges in four years after months of soaring market prices.
Reacting to the energy price cap, David Barclay, Warm Welcome Campaign Director, said: “The impact will be felt by millions of Britons who were already under pressure before this crisis. With energy costs rising over the summer, households will find it even harder to pay off energy debts or build up savings before the winter heating season.
“Today’s news is a bitter blow and will have a far-reaching double-whammy impact on both Warm Welcome Spaces and households. It will mean more demand from guests struggling to keep warm and pay their bills, but also the costs of running these community spaces, which are not protected from the energy price cap, will soar.”
Last year, the network of more than 6,300 Warm Welcome Spaces supported around 3.5 million Britons, offering physical and human warmth to anyone struggling to make ends meet. These spaces also have a profound effect on loneliness and mental health, but most are run on crisis funding, and many spaces struggle to keep their doors open. Warm Welcome Spaces are there for communities in the harsh winter months, but many also double as cool spaces during heatwaves, offering a lifeline to those struggling to keep cool.
Rising costs and the prospect of a harsh economic outlook make it even harder to keep pace with paying for rent, heating, lighting, and everyday essentials. In a recent survey, one in five Warm Welcome Spaces said they were very worried about the impact of war on energy costs.
David Barclay, Warm Welcome’s Campaign Director added: “Since we launched the Warm Welcome Campaign four years ago, during the worst cost of living crisis in 70 years, our growing network of community spaces has helped revive communities and given millions of people renewed hope. These spaces are a lifeline for anyone struggling with the rising cost of heating their home and paying for everyday essentials.
“We expect Warm Welcome Spaces to be in higher demand this winter. Yet their very existence is under threat, with most relying on short-term crisis funding. The economic impact of war, alongside rising fuel and food costs, is putting both Warm Welcome Spaces and the people they support under even greater strain.
“We're calling on the government to develop a more strategic approach to supporting community spaces across the UK, including using Warm Homes Fund money to install green technology, which will permanently reduce the running costs of Warm Welcome Spaces. Without it, these community spaces may be forced to close their doors when they are needed most.”
Want more updates about the Warm Welcome campaign?
Stay up to date with our latest news:
