British Gas, OVO, Octopus offering customers payment worth up to £2,000

British Gas, OVO and Octopus Energy are offering customers up to £2,000 help this winter - and free electric blankets. British Gas is reopening its Energy Support Fund, which offers grants of up to £2,000 to help customers clear outstanding energy debt.

This is available to both credit and pre-payment metre accounts. The company is also extending its Individuals and Families Fund to aid non-British Gas customers who need debt relief assistance through the British Gas Energy Trust, which provides emergency fuel vouchers.

Jessica Taplin, CEO of the British Gas Energy Trust, spoke to GB News and said: "This winter is likely to be as challenging as the last, and the British Gas Energy Trust are committed to helping people get back on top of their energy bills before the really cold weather arrives."

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Octopus Energy's Octo Assist Fund now offers discretionary credits of £50, £100 or £200 to eligible households, including pensioners affected by the loss of Winter Fuel Payment, regardless of whether they receive Pension Credit. OVO Energy isn't far behind with their Extra Support Package, launched last month, featuring a £50million fund aimed at offering bill reductions.

Following the news that energy bills for a typical household will rise by £21 a year more, please find commentary on this below from Ranjit Blythe, Managing Director of the Cadent Foundation, which was established by the UK's biggest gas distribution network, Cadent, to address fuel poverty across the UK and ensure people are safe and warm in their homes.

She said: “It’s a mistake for anyone to think that the cost-of-living crisis is over and we’ve seen, first-hand, through all of our projects, the impact of fuel poverty on the most vulnerable. The news of today's price cap changes, preceded by the removal of the Winter Fuel Allowance for many pensioners, could mean that those who may have just about managed last year are now being tipped into fuel poverty.

"We've witnessed unprecedented demand for support in the last month alone, distributing almost £500,000 of assistance from our Winter Support Fund to the most vulnerable members of society. Our partners have reported high levels of uptake, particularly from those impacted by recent cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance.

"We would urge those who are struggling to reach out and access support, particularly as we enter the coldest months of the year."