British Gas is set to support thousands more customers with their energy bills this winter, through a new extension of its partnership with the debt charity StepChange.
An estimated 18,000 additional British Gas customers are expected to benefit from this partnership, receiving tailored, expert advice over the winter period and beyond. From October 6, customers will be able to access a dedicated referral scheme, which will include resources such as debt write-off through the British Gas Energy Trust fund and emergency top-ups for prepayment customers. Customers will also be able to get help in identifying unclaimed benefits, as well as access to budgeting tools and debt advice.
Fiona Cameron, director of customer vulnerability at British Gas, said: “We want to provide vulnerable customers as much support as possible.
“Our partnership with StepChange allows us to strengthen the support we already provide for our customers to ensure we can help those who need it most. By joining forces, we’re not only helping households manage debt but also giving them the tools to build greater financial resilience.”
British Gas said it will also integrate a new specialist from StepChange within its specialist debt team to help provide guidance.
StepChange is one of the largest providers of free debt advice and solutions in the UK.
According to British Gas, its partnership with StepChange has already supported more than 25,000 customers in the last 12 months.
Gail Arkle, chief growth officer at StepChange, said: “The extension of our partnership with British Gas comes at a critical time as millions of households face mounting debts, with colder months and higher energy bills looming.
“We know that these pressures have been particularly challenging for our clients during the last few years, and it’s vital that more people have early access to expert debt advice and support.
“Our partnership aims to reach households facing financial difficulty earlier, providing them with tailored debt advice and connecting them with practical solutions that ease the immediate pressure.”
Since 2021, British Gas has committed £140million to helping customers through its energy debt grants. To find out more about the support available, visit the dedicated page on the British Gas Energy Trust website.
