Local Citizens Advice responds to growing ‘Don’t Pay’ energy payment strike campaign

Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford has issued a statement in response to the growing ‘Don’t Pay’ campaign - a movement urging millions to join the mass non-payment strike when energy bills rise again on 1 October.

Formed in June in response to predictions of spiralling energy bills, the 'Don't Pay UK' campaign group aims to gather pledges from one million people who are willing to cancel their energy bills.

The campaign group has said it will trigger ‘mass non-payment’ unless the government and energy companies drastically reduce bills by 1 October.

However, Citizens Advice is urging people to talk to their energy supplier first and be aware of the risks of non-payment, including fees and disconnection.

Steve Hughes, Chief Operating Officer at the Citizens Advice in Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford, said: “We’re hearing from people every single day facing desperate choices because they’re struggling to pay their energy bills and we understand why some people may feel they’re running out of options. 

“We’d always encourage people, as a first port of call, to contact their energy supplier because they have to help you come to a solution. 

“Try to come to an agreement that works for both of you, whether that’s reducing your payments in line with what you can afford or finding a way to pay off any debts you’ve built up. 

“If you’re worried, and need support because you’re in debt or need support making contact with your energy supplier because you’re worried about making payments, we’re here to help.”

“It’s important to be aware of what will happen if you choose to stop paying your energy bills.

“If you cancel your direct debit, you might be charged a fee.  Check your supplier’s website to find out what this might be.  It’s also likely that if you move from direct debit to a different payment method you will end up paying more, as direct debit is often the cheapest option.

“When you build up arrears to your energy supplier they can take action like moving you onto a prepayment meter or, in rare cases, they could disconnect you. 

“There are clear rules around this though.  Your supplier can’t make you move to prepayment if it wouldn’t be safe or practical; for instance if an illness or disability means you’d be at risk if your gas or electricity was cut off.

“Your supplier also needs to follow clear guidance and make sure they’ve given you notice, given you time to pay any debts and offered you alternatives to being moved onto a prepayment meter.

“It’s also worth bearing in mind that energy debts could affect your credit rating which may impact your ability to access lending in the future. Paying via prepayment meter is also likely to mean you pay more for your energy.”

Additionally, local charity Action Together has produced a toolkit to help you prioritise payments during the cost-of-living crisis.

 

 

Distributed by Action Together, the toolkit has been designed to be a simple step-by-step guide to help work out your first priority, what options there are available to you in the borough and who you need to speak to first. The toolkit will help you to get started and give you the right contacts to support you going forward.

Action Together worked with VCFSE groups, Public Health, Citizen Advice and Rochdale Council to develop the toolkit

Julie Durrant, from Action Together who helps facilitate the Economic Support Network in the borough, said: “The toolkit is a simple format. Once you have worked out what support you need, you will see that support is just one simple step away.”

If you need more advice or practical support with your energy bills, please contact Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford.

Advice is available by freephone, WhatsApp and in person, or you can visit the website where you’ll find specific information on what to do if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills.

For more information about the toolkit please visit the Action Together website or email for hard copies.