Energy cap rise will be devastating, says advice boss

THE 13 per cent rise in the energy price cap will be devastating for thousands of households locally, say Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service (D&G CAS).

Their chief executive Phil Stewart said: “This huge rise in the energy price cap is going to be impossible for so many people to absorb. Especially the tens of thousands of people who we know are already struggling to heat and light their homes. 

“It’s tempting to think high energy costs don’t affect people in the summer. Yet last summer the Citizens Advice Network provided over 2000 emergency fuel vouchers across Scotland. With the cap likely to rise again before winter and remembering the price cap applies to the cost per unit, not the average household cost, there is no cap on the amount energy costs each household, fuel poverty across the region will continue to increase.”

He revealed the service is already seeing record levels of energy debt in Dumfries and Galloway, with the average in 2025-26 being £3200. Said Phil: “Debt has a devastating impact on people’s physical and mental wellbeing, forcing people to ration their energy use, meaning people are sitting in the cold and dark.  

“We urge those who are struggling to seek help. We have a number of means by which we can help people save money, tackle energy issues and minimise debt, through our Safe and Warm project, our D&G HEAT project and more.”

For advice, call 0300 303 4321 or visit www.dagcas.org.