Nobody should have to earn the right to be warm

Half of people living on older council-run Traveller sites in Wales cannot access a normal domestic electricity supply. Energy may instead be provided through councils at commercial rates, leaving households unable to choose cheaper suppliers or access support available to other customers.

In response, the Welsh Government says it will provide £600,000 during 2026/27 to help Gypsies and Travellers living on sites with their energy costs. The targeted funding is intended to close this particular inequality gap.

Charities have also been distributing fuel vouchers to families, which is important because some households reported spending over £100 a week on meters.

Emergency funding cannot fix the underlying infrastructure. Some vouchers are inaccessible without an individual energy supply, while people on private sites may not qualify for funding. Fair access to a social energy tariff for low income and vulnerable households offers a more lasting answer.

Cost-of-living support should never be a competition. Helping one community does not make another less deserving.