Tackling gaps and overlaps: a discussion paper addressing the energy advice challenge

Tackling gaps and overlaps: a discussion paper addressing the energy advice challenge [ 4.9 mb]

Economic scarring from the pandemic, the cost of living crisis and the war in Ukraine has put pressure on people’s budgets and has meant more people are behind on their essential bills. This, in turn, has caused a rise in demand for energy advice services despite many services running on reduced budgets. This discussion paper identifies a number of factors that block the sector’s ability to strengthen and integrate existing advice services and the change that is needed.

It highlights how access to independent and impartial advice is required as we ask people to make changes to their homes to meet our net zero targets. Developing a comprehensive energy advice strategy will be essential to meet those targets well.  

The strategy should ensure:

• everyone who needs support has access to it

• a diversity of channels are offered to those who need help

• good value for money for taxpayer and consumer funds

• strong referrals to core advice infrastructure

• good and consistent data collection

• movement towards stable funding

It is deliberately provocative in places and we welcome feedback on the proposals via the following email address: energystrategy@citizensadvice.org.uk