Warm Welcome Campaign responds to forecast 25% rise in energy costs

• “Huge concern” about what this means for people
• “Urgent need” to consider how people can be supported over winter

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David Barclay, Director of The Warm Welcome Campaign, has expressed “huge concern” at the news that household and business energy bills are forecast to rise by 25% from 1 October.

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“My worry is what this will mean for people, particularly those already struggling,” David said.

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The Warm Welcome Campaign resources and connects more than 6,000 community spaces up and down the UK, which offer people free (or very low cost) places to go, particularly if they are lonely or struggling with the cost of living.

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David said today: “There is clearly an urgent need for Government at all levels to consider how people can be supported to navigate this. We have already been anticipating this and therefore preparing for how we at the Warm Welcome Campaign can support community spaces to help guests this winter. More information is coming soon, but we are keen to work with partners and funders who want to get practical help to people this winter.”

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The statement comes in the week that the Warm Welcome Campaign publicised a letter it received from Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who visited a Warm Welcome Space in Manchester during his time as Greater Manchester Mayor.

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In the letter, the Prime Minister said: “…the principle behind this work is one I strongly support: that better health and wellbeing will only be achieved if we put more power, resource and trust into the hands of communities themselves.

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“Libraries, community centres, faith spaces and local voluntary groups are not optional extras... they are part of the social infrastructure that gives people dignity and support when they most need it. The growth of Warm Welcome into a UK-wide network of more than 6,000 spaces is therefore a powerful testament to the people and places-driven leadership this country needs. Ultimately for me, my premiership is about putting people and communities closer to the heart of decision-making and to ensure this is equally happening right across government.”