British Gas Energy Trust wrote to the Prime Minister in July 2026 setting out five priorities for government to end fuel poverty, the charity has confirmed in a statement published on 1 September 20261.
The five priorities are a national mission to end fuel poverty backed by cross-government leadership; an energy affordability guarantee delivered through a social tariff and a national energy debt strategy; investment in warm, energy-efficient homes; empowering local leaders to deliver place-based solutions; and investment in trusted community organisations providing advice, support and crisis prevention1.
The trust said the recommendations recognise that fuel poverty cannot be addressed through energy policy alone, and require coordinated action across energy, housing, health, welfare and local government, with trusted local advice at its heart1. Tracey Talbot, Interim CEO of British Gas Energy Trust, said:
"Changes in energy costs can create uncertainty for people already managing tightly stretched household budgets. Our experience shows that the strongest outcomes are achieved when immediate assistance is combined with trusted, holistic advice addressing debt, income and people's wider circumstances."
The letter followed Ofgem's announcement that the energy price cap will rise by 4% from 1 October 2026, taking the annual figure for a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit to £1,7231. The trust noted that the cap limits the amount suppliers can charge for each unit of energy, and does not limit a household's total bill, which depends on individual energy use1. The energy price cap is set by Ofgem, the regulator, and the trust's statement does not set out how a social tariff would be structured or funded, nor which households would be eligible; those details have not been reported1.
The trust said it distributed £15.5 million in practical support for households in 2025-26 through energy debt grants, white goods, fuel vouchers and holistic in-person money and energy advice delivered by organisations it funds1. It said fuel poverty is rarely caused by one issue alone, with income, debt, health, housing quality and energy efficiency often closely connected1.
Why it matters for households
The price cap sets a maximum unit rate, so a 4% rise changes what each unit of gas and electricity costs rather than capping the total bill a home pays1. For a household using more energy than the typical dual-fuel direct debit figure of £1,723, the annual cost will be higher; for one using less, lower1.
The trust's letter frames fuel poverty as a problem spanning income, debt, housing quality and energy efficiency, not energy prices alone1. That matters for energy independence at home because the measures it calls for sit in different places: a social tariff and debt strategy would sit with energy policy, warm homes investment with housing and DESNZ, and advice services with community organisations1. Housing quality standards, including energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in Scotland and standards for social and rented homes, are set separately by the relevant administrations, and the trust's letter does not address how its priorities would interact with them1.
What happens next
No timetable has been reported for a government response to the letter, and no date has been given for decisions on a social tariff or an energy debt strategy1. The 4% price cap rise takes effect from 1 October 20261.
Sources1 cited
- Price cap change reinforces the need for a long-term plan to end fuel poverty - British Gas Energy Trust, britishgasenergytrust.org.uk