Energy advice partnership extends after reaching 118,000 older households

A £1.7 million partnership supporting older people with energy costs and safety will run until March 2028, after its partners reported personalised help reaching almost 118,000 households across Britain. Funded by the four gas networks, the programme works through Age UK, Age Cymru and Age Scotland advice lines.

Support ranges from benefits checks and help with bills to heat packs, gas-safety information and referrals. SGN described one call in which an adviser helped a 90-year-old man understand a carbon-monoxide alarm; an engineer arrived within an hour and found a gas leak.

The reach figure comes from the partnership, rather than an independent impact evaluation. Wider evidence offers useful guardrails: a government evaluation found personalised local energy advice can prompt action, but needs better coordination, while a UK Energy Research Centre review says results vary and advice works best when tailored, trusted and linked to practical support. This extension keeps that fuller route open through two more winters.

Sources

• Northern Gas Networks — Age UK partnership extended to help more older people stay safe, warm and well
• SGN — Working together to keep older people safe and warm
• UK Government — Consumer Advice and Information programme evaluation
• UK Energy Research Centre — Energy Advice in England? A narrative literature review