Fuel poverty protest to be held in Birmingham

Campaigners are calling for greater support to help with rising energy bills.

Author: Kellie MaddoxPublished 22nd Jan 2023

A protest is being held in Birmingham city centre today (Sunday) to highlight the number of people who are now living in fuel poverty.

Campaign groups are demanding the government bans forced prepayment meters, which disconnect families from their gas and electricity when they can't afford to top them up.

The action's being organised by Fuel Poverty Action, which is worried about the number of deaths linked to the issue.

People are expected to gather outside the Octopus Energy hub on Colmore Row.

Vigils have also taken place in Brighton, Cardiff, London and Leicester.

Andrew was among those to gather in Brighton and said his bills are becoming unaffordable:

"Even before the official beginning of the energy crisis, our bills had already gone up six times in the previous 18 months.

"In our house what we've had to do is save money on food."

It's a similar situation for Katy Young - who thinks the situation is becoming incredibly serious:

"People are dying, children are hungry and cold and unable to learn.

"Warm hubs are having to be set up for people to go to. It's just not good enough."

The government's pledged to help those struggling with the high cost of living.

A number of measures have been introduced including support payments for those in need of help.

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