The number of people who sometimes struggle to pay their energy bills has fallen in the last 12 months, according to a survey by the Utility Regulator. More than 1,500 domestic consumers took part in the research between October and January. The survey is carried out every year to hear consumer experiences of the Northern Ireland electricity and gas markets. It found the number of people who sometimes struggle to pay their electricity bill fell from 33% last year to 23% this year. The number of respondents who sometimes struggle to pay for gas also fell from 36% to 27%. However, there are certain groups - such as customers with disabilities, those who live in social housing, and private renters - who were more likely to struggle to pay their energy bills. Head of consumer protection at the Utility Regulator, Sinéad Dynan, said: "We are very aware that some consumers continue to struggle paying for their electricity or gas and don't fully engage with their suppliers to ensure they are receiving all the support they can avail of. "We will continue to promote the ways that energy suppliers support their customers and the extra protections in place for those in vulnerable circumstances, to try and encourage more take-up of these services," she added. The research found private renters and those living in social housing were more likely than homeowners to experience payment difficulties and less likely to be aware what support is available.
Fall in number of people struggling to pay energy bills
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"Survey Shows Decrease in Energy Bill Payment Struggles Among Consumers"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
A recent survey conducted by the Utility Regulator has revealed a significant decline in the number of individuals facing difficulties in paying their energy bills over the past year. The survey, which included responses from over 1,500 domestic consumers between October and January, indicated a drop in the percentage of people who sometimes struggle to pay their electricity bills from 33% last year to 23% this year. Similarly, the number of respondents who reported challenges with gas payments decreased from 36% to 27%. This positive trend suggests an overall improvement in consumers' financial situations regarding energy expenses, reflecting a broader recovery in economic conditions or better energy management among households in Northern Ireland.
Despite this encouraging data, the survey also highlighted persistent challenges faced by specific demographics, particularly customers with disabilities, those living in social housing, and private renters. These groups were identified as more likely to encounter difficulties in meeting their energy bills compared to homeowners, and they often remain unaware of the support available to them. Sinéad Dynan, the Head of Consumer Protection at the Utility Regulator, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the resources and protections offered by energy suppliers to assist vulnerable consumers. The regulator aims to enhance engagement among these groups to ensure they receive the necessary support and maximize their access to available services, thereby improving their financial stability and reducing the risk of energy poverty in Northern Ireland.
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