Mum’s cost of living warning as energy meter poverty hits record high

Carrie Leigh McLachlan is trying to make ends meet while looking after her daughter Freya (Picture: Carrie Leigh McLachlan)

A mum with a disabled daughter is among those caught up in the cost of living crisis — as figures show a record number of pre-pay energy customers needed help last year.  

Carrie Leigh McLachlan has struggled to make ends meet while trying to look after her ten-year-old daughter, Freya, who has cerebral palsy. 

The single mum also has sons Oliver, 15, and William, 19, and daughter Jessica, 22, at her home in Wirral, Merseyside.

Eldest son, Kieran, 26, lives away from home and needs help with household bills, including a pre-pay meter.

Carrie, 51, is a registered full-time carer for Freya, which she juggles around her work as a nursery manager.  

She spoke as figures from the Fuel Bank Foundation showed a record number of pay-as-you-go customers needed help amounting to more than £10 million to pay their energy bills last winter. 

More than 331,000 people across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland received an emergency voucher from the independent charity to keep the lights and heating on. 

Carrie Leigh McLachlan has daughter Freya’s wellbeing in mind as she juggles the household bills (Picture: Carrie Leigh McLachlan)

‘Last year my provider wanted to put my direct debit up to £575 a month based on their estimate of my usage and the price cap’, Carrie said.

‘I said “no way” because I was already spending more on energy than on rent. I only live in a three-bedroom home but I need a constant supply of electricity to keep my daughter’s equipment going and her room warm because of her disability.  

‘We’ve had a cost of living payment and I have the disability and carer’s allowances, but I still worry about putting food on the table for the kids.

‘I’ve gone to back to work and while we’re nowhere near comfortable I know I’ve at least got beans and toast in the cupboard.’

Carrie has returned to work and while having a regular income has eased the financial burden, she sees no end to the cost of living crisis in sight.

‘I now help other people through my work, so I know I’m not the only person struggling, and I make sure they know where to go for advice and support,’ she said. 

‘Based on my own experience, the government doesn’t care in the slightest. The cost of living crisis will take generations to fix.

‘It won’t be solved in my lifetime and I just pray that things will improve for my children.’ 

Freya McLachlan needs a constant supply of energy for her bedroom at home in the Wirral (Picture: Carrie Leigh McLachlan)

Energy poverty among pre-pay customers soared between November 2023 and March 2024 according to the fuel poverty charity.  

The figure is 34% higher than the previous winter, the biggest amount given out during the cold months since the organisation was set up in 2017. 

Overall, the charity has helped 1.5 million pay-as-you-go customers to date, providing a lifeline when someone cannot afford to top up a meter.  

Matthew Cole, who heads the charity, said: ‘Each winter, we are seeing more and more people coming to us for help.

‘As a small charity that’s dependent on donations, we are spending millions each year on providing crisis support to vulnerable and low-income households, plugging the gap in social provision.

‘Despite the price cap coming down and the positive rhetoric on energy prices coming from government, our experience suggests the fuel poverty crisis is getting worse, not better.’ 

Charities warn that the cost of living crisis is resulting from pressures including rising power bills (Picture: E.M. Welch/REX/Shutterstock)

The energy price cap — the maximum amount suppliers can charge customers on a standard tariff — dropped by £238 in April.

The next change to the level is due to be announced by Ofgem today.

However the current price is still 59% higher than winter 2021 to 2022, according to the House of Commons library. 

Customers on pre-payment meters pay £1,643 a year on average, figures from the Fuelbank Foundation show.

The charity distributes the vouchers via 790 referral partners including foodbanks, advice agencies and charities, providing vetted support for vulnerable and low-income households.

A total of 331,042 people needed help last winter, with the foundation giving out £10,224,378 worth of vouchers.

The payments range from £30 to £89 depending on energy prices and temperatures, typically providing between seven and 10 days’ of energy.  

‘In the last year alone we have helped more than a third of the total people helped over the past seven years, such is the growing level of demand,’ Mr Cole said.  

Power bills remain high compared to pre-energy crisis levels (Picture: PA)

‘With typical energy bills expected to still be around 40% more than they were pre-energy crisis, and unlikely to return to “normal” levels for some time, on top of higher food bills, increased rent and mortgage payments and paying off previously accrued debts, families are at financial breaking point. As a small charity that’s dependent on donations, we are spending millions each year on providing crisis support to vulnerable and low-income households, plugging the gap in social provision.

‘Despite the price cap coming down and the positive rhetoric on energy prices coming from government, our experience suggests the fuel poverty crisis is getting worse, not better.’

Figures from the Trussell Trust show that the foodbank network gave out a record 3.1 million food parcels in the 12 months to March 2024.  

Despite reducing pressure on meters, the summer months will continue to squeeze under-pressure households, Mr Cole warned.  

‘While we may be heading into the warmer summer months, that doesn’t mean the challenges households face in winter magically disappear,’ he said. ‘Yes, the heating may not need to be on as much or at all, but people still need credit on the meter to cook, take a bath or shower, use household appliances or power medical equipment.  

‘If the money isn’t there, something has to give, which sadly is the situation many of our clients find themselves in, whether it’s skipping meals, not showering or not washing clothes as often.’ 

The Trussell Trust has reported record foodbank demand (Picture: Getty)

While the latest three-monthly price cap update is expected to bring another reduction, campaigners want to see long-term action on bills.

‘A further reduction in the energy price cap, as is anticipated this week when Ofgem announces the new level for July, will provide a small financial lifeline to millions of households across the UK,’ Mr Cole said.

‘But it’s not enough. More help is needed from government to support households at risk of fuel crisis, both now and in the future.  

‘With a General Election on July 4, we need to have sensible discussions about the consequences of people living without energy and the impact this has on society as a whole.’ 

Household power bills soared as the energy crisis was sparked by pent-up demand after Covid and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Pre-pay customers are especially exposed, as they are being charged more up-front for their energy than other users, according to Ofgem.

Despite the price cap drop, energy debt stands at a record £3.1 billion. 

A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: ‘We recognise people are struggling with their bills and would encourage anyone in that situation to speak to their supplier.

‘We are spending £108 billion between 2022 and 2025 supporting households with their bills, have cut National Insurance from 12% to 8% for 27 million working people, increased the National Living Wage – worth £1,800 to a full-time worker – and raised benefits by 6.7%  

‘And all this comes as the energy price cap has fallen to its lowest level in two years – 60% below its peak.’ 

MORE : Warning fuel poverty is ‘off the scale’ as record numbers need help

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