A Cumbrian hospice has welcomed new energy bill support measures, but warns that more help will be needed.
Eden Valley Hospice have spoken out following the announcement of the Government’s latest energy bill support scheme for businesses and third sector organisations.
The scheme is estimated to cost £150 billion and will see energy bills cut by around half their expected levels this winter, but the support will only fix wholesale gas and electricity prices for firms for six months from October 1.
Eden Valley Hospice chief executive, Julie Clayton, said: “We’re pleased that the Government has recognised that charities such as ourselves and other hospices across the country need additional support to help with rising energy costs, which pose a real threat to the services offered to those people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
“While, like many other hospices, we are currently in a fixed contract we are looking at options for what comes next, and we are eager to learn more about the continuing support after this initial six-month scheme. We are joining other colleagues across the sector and Hospice UK in making the case to Government that further support will be required after March 2023.”
Just last month, Eden Valley Hospice issued an urgent call for Government support after rising energy costs left hospices across Cumbria facing a need to raise millions to keep up with bill costs.
With households, businesses and individuals already struggling to make ends meet, hospices expressed concern that donations will fall, leaving them without one of their main sources of income.
The new support scheme is set to come under review after three months, with vulnerable businesses set to receive extra support, but it is not known what sectors will come under this category.
