Nearly half of all disabled people have seen energy bills rise during pandemic, charity warns

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nearly half of disabled people in the UK have seen their energy bills increase since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a charity. Around a third of disabled people said energy costs and usage have caused them concern or worry, disability equality charity Scope said. The Opinium survey commissioned by Scope found that of more than 1,000 working age disabled people, 86 per cent have had no contact with their energy supplier regarding concerns about their bills. “The pandemic has only served to exacerbate the situation and has left people feeling anxious about their increasing energy bills and in the dark about how and where to get help.” Scope is calling for energy suppliers to proactively identify and contact their disabled customers and offer support if needed, and improve how they gather information about the needs of their disabled customers.