An energy-saving support programme which helps those in fuel poverty has saved customers more than £25m across the North West.
Since launching in 2023, SP Electricity North West’s Take Charge programme has provided crucial energy saving support to 65,000 customers across its operating region.
In the last 12 months alone, customers have benefitted from £10m worth of savings as thousands have used the support programme.
Fuel poverty continues to be a pressing issue across England, with 2.78 million households struggling to afford energy bills and national energy debt now exceeding £4.4 billion, and, in the North West, the region has some of the highest fuel poverty rates with one in five households affected.
Jill Hendry, SP Electricity North West’s Customer Inclusion Manager said: “I want to let anyone know who may be struggling with energy debt in the region, they aren’t alone and our Take Charge campaign is here to help.
“As the power network operator for the region, we are in a unique position to help customers when they reach out for support, our trained call handlers have the expertise to assist people and connect them with the various partners we work with.
“While we don’t send you a bill, if you live in our operating area, you can speak to our experts in confidence for free and impartial supports. There’s a wide range of help available and some households may also qualify for funding and grants to make homes warmer and more energy efficient.”
SP Electricity North West is the power network operator for the North West region and its part of a typical annual electricity bill is £124 which works out at around 30p per day.
Alongside investing £2bn in the network until 2028, the business also works with a wide range of partners to provide help and support to its customers.
“Take Charge is a major investment for the business as we’re committing £8m to make sure customers get the right support when they need it most,” added Hendry.
“Through this programme, we’ve partnered with Citizens Advice to provide a team of 14 dedicated energy advisors who are ringfenced for this service. When customers call the Take Charge number, they’ll be connected to someone who understands their situation and can offer practical, tailored advice to help them take control of their energy concerns.”
Being in fuel poverty means that the household’s energy efficiency rating is Band D or below, and their disposable income, after housing and fuel costs, is below the poverty line.
In the North West, on average 14.4% of households are deemed to be fuel poor with 20 areas all above the average rate. They are:
- Manchester, Gorton – 23.7%
- Blackpool South – 21.4%
- Pendle – 19.6%
- Burnley – 19.3%
- Blackburn – 18.1%
- Preston – 18.1%
- Rochdale – 17.6%
- Bolton South East – 17.3%
- Blackpool North and Cleveleys – 16.1%
- Barrow and Furness – 16%
- Lancaster and Fleetwood – 16%
- Oldham West and Royton – 15.9%
- Bolton North East – 15.8%
- Workington – 15.6%
- Rossendale and Darwen – 15.6%
- Ashton-under-Lyne – 15.3%
- Oldham East and Saddleworth – 15.2%
- Morecambe and Lunesdale – 15.1%
- Manchester Central – 15%
- Manchester, Withington – 14.9%
For more information and support contact Take Charge on (freephone) 0808 169 9924, WhatsApp 07893 950999 go to www.takechargetoday.co.uk
