Women’s mental health crisis ‘fuelled by energy bills and debt’

Research carried out for the Women’s Institute (WI) suggests that concerns over high energy bills have resulted in illness and absences from work. The report indicates that rising bills and debt are exacerbating a mental health crisis among women.

The study revealed that more than one in 10 women (14 per cent) have been in energy debt in the past six months. Of these, almost a fifth (19 per cent) endured sleepless nights while nearly a third (29 per cent) worried about covering their bills.

Around 2,000 people aged 18 and older were interviewed during the polling, made by Opinium on behalf of the campaigning group Warm This Winter, with 1,030 of them being women. Published amidst Mental Health Awareness Week, the data showed that 9 per cent of those recently in energy-related debt said that it had caused them to fall ill, with 6 per cent taking time off work due to stress.

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Additionally, it was suggested that 15 per cent of women had considered or actually forgone meals to balance their finances, one in eight had contemplated using food banks, and 14 per cent had forfeited hobbies, which the WI says could have further impacts on mental health. As much as 60 per cent of women surveyed reported that 2023 had been a tougher year than 2022, a figure described as “depressing” by the WI.

Melissa Green, chief executive of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI), highlighted the severe impact of the cost-of-living crisis on women, stating: “Our research shows that the cost-of-living crisis deeply affects women, who often take on the mental load of running a household on top of their jobs.”

She further expressed concern about the measures women are forced to take, saying: “We all know and feel the financial impact, but it’s desperately worrying to see women skipping meals, cutting back on essentials, or borrowing just to make ends meet.”

Warm This Winter, a coalition of 50 charities and campaigners advocating for energy fairness, commented on the survey results, pointing out: “women can see that the UK’s energy system is broken and want long-term solutions” such as “well-funded insulation and renewable energy schemes that will end the vicious circle of sky-high bills”.

Simon Francis from the End Fuel Poverty Campaign weighed in on the issue, remarking: “People have spent over three years facing sky-high energy bills and are no longer prepared to put up with increases in their bills to line the pockets of an energy industry which has made billions from the energy costs crisis.”

He also called for action, stating: “What people want to see are a mixture of long-term solutions to fix Britain’s broken energy system and short-term support for those who need extra help with their bills.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero responded to the concerns, advising: “We recognise people are struggling with their bills and would encourage anyone in that situation to speak to their supplier.”

“We are spending £108 billion between 2022 and 2025 supporting households with their bills, have cut National Insurance from 12 per cent to 8 per cent for 27 million working people, increased the National Living Wage, worth £1,800 to a full-time worker, and raised benefits by 6.7 per cent.”

“And all this comes as the energy price cap has fallen to its lowest level in two years, 60 per cent below its peak.”