Amidst the backdrop of an economic downturn and increasing energy bills, the trust said the reduction is necessary because of an increase in applicants. In 2012 the Trust received and assessed 7,669 applicants – a 19.6 per cent increase on 2011 figures.
According to its annual report, it made 3,484 awards totalling £1,869,538 in 2012, and EDF Energy has committed to fund the Trust with an annual donation of £1,993,000 in both 2013 and 2014.
However, the trust says the high volume of applications it has received means that the demand for assistance “is far likely to exceed the funds available,” and with the steady depletion of the trust’s reserves, it is anticipated it will have to “ration the number of individuals who qualify for awards during 2013 and 2014.”
This year marks the trust’s tenth year and it says it will “continue assisting as many vulnerable families and individuals in hardship as possible.”
Denice Fennell, EDF Energy Trust chair, said: “Working in partnership with EDF Energy, the Trust has put in place a number of measures to maximise the support available to help those who are struggling to stay on top of their bills, and to aim for those customers receiving grants to remain energy debt free.”
In comparison, the British Gas Energy Trust’s (BGET) annual report revealed that it received 24,062 applications in 2012, a 21 per cent increase on the number received during 2011, and it granted 16,675 awards totalling £10,065,874.
British Gas donated £8 million to the Trust in 2012 and has increased funding to £14 million for 2013, with a further commitment of £12 million by 2015.
Tony Wright, BGET chairman, said: The Trust continues to generously support customers of all utility companies experiencing financial hardship.”