Response: Senedd Petitions' Committee recommendations on energy costs and pre-payment meters

The Welsh Government is being called to take extra steps to protect some of Wales's most vulnerable people against rising energy costs.

The Senedd Petitions' Committee has made recommendations to Welsh Government to support people on lower incomes, including many who live in housing association homes, against soaring costs and fuel debt.

The Committee has recommended that Welsh Government should explore the creation of an energy social tariff for those in the greatest need.

It has also called on Welsh Government to work with UK Government and Ofgem to clarify the code of practice around forced pre-payment meter installation, and look to make the guidelines fairer to help more people at risk of fuel poverty.

Hayley Macnamara, Community Housing Cymru’s cost of living lead, said: “The Petition's Committee's recommendations around forced prepayment meters, and the creation of an energy social tariff are an encouraging step in the right direction for thousands of Wales’s most vulnerable people, including many who live in housing association homes.

“On Fuel Poverty Awareness Day we stand with National Energy Action to call for the urgent implementation of these measures to ensure people on the lowest incomes can heat their homes without the fear of facing rising debt.

"Housing associations and their partners are doing all they can to help people at this challenging time. We would encourage anyone living in a housing association home in Wales to get in touch with their landlord if they are concerned about financial difficulties.”

Read our full Ends Won't Meet report here which calls for the introduction of an energy social tariff, and urgent support for housing association tenants who are among the hardest hit by the cost of living crisis.