Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) has reported a nearly 50% increase in reports of energy theft or meter tampering over the last year, though the charity has estimated that 250,000 cases go unreported each year. NEA’s Adam Scorer said that such practices are “much more likely to be going on under the radar”, driven by desperation and shame. The charity estimates that 5.6 million UK households are now in fuel poverty, which is defined as spending 10% of income on heating. NEA also voiced concern that changes to winter fuel payments could hit elderly households.
Energy theft can be dangerous, leading to gas leaks which injure or kill 280 people each year, according to Stay Energy Safe. The charity runs an anonymous reporting line, in partnership with Crimestoppers and energy suppliers, to tackle energy theft.
There was a 48% increase in reports of energy theft to Crimestoppers in the last year, compared to the previous year. Crimestoppers received an average of over 900 reports a month in the last ten months. ENERGY prices have risen sharply since the easing of Covid restrictions, before a gas supply shortage caused by the Russo-Ukrainian crisis again drove up prices.
The UK government says it “will support households to cut their bills and reduce fuel poverty.” A spokesperson added that the government will “fix our broken energy system by investing in clean power” and will launch a £150 Warm Home Discount scheme in October, which it estimates will usher in support for three million households
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