East Sussex fuel poverty group calls for further action to lower energy bills, as price cap rises again

Local community benefit society Energise Sussex Coast is calling on the government to take further action to get consumers 'off the fossil fuel rollercoaster' and lower energy bills, in the wake of today's (27 May) announcement of a 13.5% in the price cap from 1 July 2026.

The biggest factor driving this change is the cost of a unit of gas which is up 25% on the last quarter, following the illegal US/Israeli attack on Iran. The latest rise leaves the price cap over £800 above its level in the winter of 2020/21.

As part of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, Energise Sussex Coast is calling on the government to:

• enhance financial support for households this winter, including by an improved Warm Home Discount and action on energy debt;

• complete the break between electricity prices and volatile gas markets;

• expand support for solar, heat pumps, insulation and electric vehicles, particularly for lower-income households; and

• commit to staying the course on clean power rather than new oil and gas extraction.

Energise Sussex Coast director Kate Meakin said: 'Despite already paying hundreds of pounds more than before the energy crisis, consumers are now being expected to absorb yet another increase as a direct result of Trump’s war with Iran. Meanwhile, the industry that profits from the volatile gas market continues to cash-in. Indeed, in the last three months alone, energy companies have made more than £3 billion in profits on their UK operations. This is completely unsustainable. The Government must now make sure that more households, regardless of their wealth, can make the switch to clean electricity and feel the savings in their bills. It’s time to get us all off the fossil fuel rollercoaster for good.'

Founded in 2012, local community benefit cooperative Energise Sussex Coast (ESC) works to tackle the climate crisis and energy injustice through community-owned renewable power and energy-saving schemes. It runs a free Energy Advice service to help local residents bring down the cost of their electricity, gas and water bills: 01424 390 062.

Over two-fifths (43%) of UK households are currently struggling with energy bills and spending more than 10% of their household income on gas and electricity, according to recent research by the University of York. Meanwhile, the level of energy debt has increased to an all time high, with millions of households owing a combined £5.5bn in debt.

While renewables are now much cheaper than fossil fuels, the way in which electricity prices are set in the UK means that expensive gas sets wholesale electricity prices 60% of the time. Even so, investment in wind power has already saved UK consumers over £100 billion in energy costs since 2010, according to a University College London analysis.