Energy For All
CAMPAIGN ALERT: Updated e4a manifesto coming soon!
Energy For All: our route to energy justice
In 2022, Fuel Poverty Action looked at the individual injustices and issues we were campaigning on, and realised the UK needs…
…an ENERGY PRICING REVOLUTION!
Instead of energy costing more per unit the LESS you use, it should be the opposite – pay more the more you use.
But energy is essential for life, so what if we all had, free of charge, enough energy to cover our basic needs?
Rich or poor, EVERYONE would benefit from free essential supply – and those with energy-intensive lifestyles would be incentivised to invest in efficiency measures to keep costs down.
To make it e4a possible, three things are needed: rapid upgrade of the UK housing to prevent energy being wasted, acceleration of cheaper renewable generation, and massive taxation of and removal of subsidies from fossil fuel companies.
Energy For All would end fuel poverty and decarbonise the energy system – it is a rallying cry that unites urgent demands around social justice and climate change.
A manifesto for change
The Energy For All Manifesto has an expanded list of demands:
- Free energy for each household, covering essential needs. Paid for by higher tariffs on luxury energy use, windfall taxes on fossil fuel corporations, and by recouping the £ billions spent daily on subsidising the fossil fuel industry.
- The upgrade of UK housing using safe, non-toxic, non-flammable insulation appropriate to the building. Sound heating systems installed by skilled workers in consultation with residents. And a requirement for all rented property to be kept in good repair without the costs being forced onto tenants.
- Short-term demands include a permanent ban on the forced installation of prepayment meters, and the abolition of standing charges on energy bills.
A populist demand with universal appeal
The Energy For All petition got 650,000 signatures almost overnight, and our manifesto has been endorsed by hundreds of organisations, MPs and other people with influence.
Hundreds of union branches have affiliated to e4a and some trades unions even have their own Energy For All campaign.
Support Energy for All!
Add your name to the petition
Get your MP or national assembly member on board!
If you belong to a trades union, why not affiliate with us?
Ask organisations and businesses to endorse the Manifesto
All kinds of organisations, as well as leaders in different sectors, are invited to endorse the Energy For All Manifesto, to build weight behind the demand.
You’ll find a full list of supporters on the dedicated Energy For All site.
If you yourself represent an organisation, please include your name and position in the organisation, as well as the locality where relevant.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What is Energy For All?
A: This is not a utopian dream, it’s basic economics. Energy pricing is artificially inflated and supports vast industry profits. Our successful campaign to reclaim this money via windfall taxes will raise tens of £billions, and much larger sums are available with higher rates, loopholes closed and fossil fuel subsidies removed. We are simply reclaiming the money currently being taken from us.
And whilst fossil fuel costs rise, renewable costs are falling fast. Windpower now produces electricity for under 5p per kWh, a fraction of gas generation. We are campaigning for reform of the electricity market and renewable expansion to drive down costs and pricing to affordable levels. This includes support for the Green Power Pool where renewables provide affordable energy and profits are tightly controlled by CfD contracts.
Q. Why offer universal help?
A: Essential energy is a universal need and right, not limited to those deemed to qualify and able to jump through the right hoops. And inflated energy pricing is a universal problem. We know millions of people fall through the cracks of the benefits system and are left without the energy they need. 3 million homes are in fuel poverty but don’t qualify for means-tested benefits. Universality ensures there is a safety net for everyone.
Q. Aren’t social tariffs a cheaper alternative?
A: Excluding people does reduce the headline cost, but risks leaving millions who need support without it. It’s a false economy given health costs, and the apparent “saving” ends up as excess profits for energy giants rather than helping squeezed households. And schemes face range of other issues:
They generally mean big savings for big users, whilst those in dangerously underheated homes are often given less help. Judging people’s needs based on how much energy they have used in the past is intrinsically unfair and positively dangerous. Many people who need a lot of energy have used very little because they cannot pay for it. That doesn’t mean they should be deprived in the future!
Eligibility is a big issue. People in great need often miss out completely because they don’t fit the specific criteria chosen. Income £1 too high, or variable due to self-employment, or incorrect government data, or flawed disability assessments, or any of the other well-known problems! And some people don’t claim the benefit – which is a huge issue with pension credit. Overall, we don’t trust the government to solve these many complex challenges any time soon.
Cliff-edges. Some schemes offer big discounts e.g. 50% to some whilst giving 0% to someone earning £1 more per year, which is obviously totally unfair.
Lack of energy security. They provide zero guarantee for those suffering from energy starvation and underheating their homes. A discount is not much use if you don’t have the money to benefit.
Lack of energy efficiency incentive. Discounts encourage high energy usage and undermine energy efficiency improvements.
Q. What about people who need more energy, because of their age, disabilities, household size, or housing conditions?
A: More essential energy will be provided free for those with greater needs – for example older or disabled people who need extra warmth, or larger families. Most of this information is already available and widely used. EPC data is patchy, and energy efficiency audits will be used to plug gaps, assess needs and identify improvement opportunities.
Q. What about those on prepayment meters?
A: More essential energy will be provided free for those with greater needs – for example older or disabled people who need extra warmth, or larger families. Most of this information is already available and widely used. EPC data is patchy, and energy efficiency audits will be used to plug gaps, assess needs and identify improvement opportunities.
Q. What about those in energy debt?
A: Inflated energy prices combined with low incomes have created a large energy debt problem. By providing free essential energy, and removing standing charges, struggling households will be protected and given valuable breathing space so they are not forced to choose between heating and eating. Or face the threat of forced entry to fit a prepayment meter. We will help and support those struggling not allow them to be punished and harassed by badly regulated operators and contractors.
Q. What about people living off-grid, with only electric heating or alternative fuels?
A: The 2 million electric-only homes face a 3x higher unit price for heating and hot water which forces many to underheat their homes. In parallel with pushing for wholesale market reform we will ensure sufficient heating to keep these homes warm too. The 2 million with oil, LPG and other fuels will also get an equivalent level of support.
Q. What about those on heat networks, in care homes etc.?
A: EVERYONE will be supported by Energy For All regardless of their home or heating situation. We have been fighting for these often forgotten groups for many years, and guaranteeing everyone a supply of essential energy for all will ensure equal and fair treatment.
Q. Shouldn’t revenue from windfall taxes be spent insulating homes and installing heat pumps and solar panels?
A: All these are essential too, and are great investments. By charging more for wasted energy, we improve the incentives for energy efficiency for the affluent, and government support for low income homes. Tax incentives will be used to improve the private rental sector. But it’s critical work is done carefully to avoid overpriced and bad quality installations leading to issues such as damp.
