⚡ First findings are in: 🚗 1 in 5 new cars sold is electric 🌞 1.8M homes have solar - on track for 9M by 2030 💬 Just 3% of EV owners would go back to petrol/diesel 🔥 Heat pumps? Still way off target - 59k installed vs 600k/yr goal

Is removing VAT the best way to cut energy bills? Our new blog looks at the alternatives, from targeting electricity to a one-off debt forgiveness scheme. Is there a better way to spend £2.5 billion? ⤵️ https://bit.ly/42ElFDV

The challenge of energy affordability is very real, but rising block tariffs aren’t the answer. People on low incomes with poorly insulated homes or who need more energy for health reasons could see rising bills, while those with multiple homes or can install solar panels avoid paying a fair share

New paper from Citizens Advice on how to deliver tangible growth - which puts money in people’s pockets - in consumer markets. TLDR: Consumer confidence is key & slashing hard won consumer protections without adequate safeguards isn’t the answer.

Heat network customers are being hit with high prices, unfair billing and aggressive debt collection practices banned across most of the energy industry. As the official consumer champion for heat networks we interviewed 50 people on heat networks from across the country. Here’s what we found… 🧵

A blog by @lauralhutch.bsky.social & me, pulling together some of the strands from recent work by our colleagues @craigpberry.bsky.social @julia-rt.bsky.social and @maddyirose.bsky.social. Link here - it’s an 8 minute read apparently wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/short-sighte... (1/6)

A targeted exemption from energy bill levies does nothing to help millions of people with traditional electric heating, who are often in the deepest fuel poverty. They also face barriers to switching to heat pumps as they’re more likely to be in flats and rent their homes (1/2)

Eileen spoke on BBC Breakfast this morning at the help she got from Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove when she was struggling to pay her energy bills. Watch back on BBC iplayer (40 mins in) ⤵️ www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

If you’re struggling to pay your heat network bills, you should: ✔️ Check if there are ways to save money on your bills ✔️ Check if your bill is correct ✔️ Contact the company or person you pay your bills to and discuss ways to pay what you owe Our advice can help ⤵️ bit.ly/4jLcF6H

Important (and excellent) paper from @julia-rt.bsky.social for @citizensadvice.bsky.social on the Household Support Fund and what crisis support should look like in the future

Awful news for struggling households today that the price cap will rise by over £100 from April - as new research by Citizens Advice shows almost 7 million people now live in households affected by energy debt. It’s welcome that the govt has brought forward proposals to tackle these issues 1/2

If this sort of mitigation is going to be needed, you have to question whether the reform is a good idea. Screenshot via @utilityweek.

Every little change Ofgem makes, every failure to properly manage the price control framework 'only adds a few pounds to bills'. No-one is responsible for adding up all the 'few pounds' Ofgem's failures add on. This glib statement encapsulates all that is wrong with the regulator. Change is needed.

Will Johnstone, Principal Policy Manager at @citizensadvice.bsky.social says their modelling shows 5 million people are in a negative budget, while 2.35 million are living on empty. #FuelPovertyConf

🚨 last few days to apply for this unique role leading @citizensadvice.bsky.social work on the retail energy market, tackling issues like affordability, service standards and innovation on the journey to clean power - reach out if interested! www.linkedin.com/posts/alex-b...

"Consumers simply can’t afford to pick up the tab when something goes wrong, and the onus shouldn’t be on them to make up for companies’ billing errors" - @alexbelsham-harris.bsky.social Read more ⤵️ www.theguardian.com/money/2025/j...

Do you want to be more financially savvy in 2025? Check out our top tips ⤵️ wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/how-to-be-fi...

After Ofgem opened Pandora's box with its review of standing charges, they've decided against the worst options, which pushed up costs for people on low incomes with high energy needs. Its new proposals offer more choice - but doing this via the price cap may add complexity for little benefit (1/3)

Throughout the general election @citizensadvice.bsky.social repeatedly said the number 1 issue was living standards. Pleased this is now recognised in govt milestones. In June 2019, our average debt client had £20 left after essentials. Now, on average, they're in the red every month.

OK, time for a proper thread on levies on energy bills, based on our report out today. Topline: the levies are unfair, and a huge barrier to reaching net zero. To reform them, we should rebalance levies on to gas while targeting support to low income households. www.nesta.org.uk/report/cheap...

We spoke to three people who are struggling to pay their energy bills. Millions across the UK share these struggles of being in fuel debt and feeling afraid to receive an energy bill: buff.ly/4g75cga #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay