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ENERGY BILLS: New data shows 40% of people are afraid to get help after energy bills more than double — as Iran conflict threatens to push costs even higher

Energy bills in south Wales have more than doubled since 2008 — and new research suggests four in ten people are still too embarrassed or afraid to seek help when they can’t afford to pay.

Now, with the Iran conflict pushing wholesale gas prices sharply higher and a significant price cap rise expected in July, the situation could be about to get worse before it gets better.

British Gas Energy Trust, working with Age Cymru Dyfed, is bringing free drop-in advice events to four west Wales venues this month to help households get on top of their bills before that happens.

Sessions take place at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli on 19 May, Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen on 20 May, Asda Llanelli on 27 May and Tesco Ammanford on 28 May — all running from 10am to 1pm and open to customers of any energy supplier.

The average domestic electricity bill in south Wales has climbed from £444 in 2008 to £1,129 — a rise of more than 150% in under two decades. South Wales households are among the hardest hit in the UK, with rural grid maintenance costs, higher heating demand and limited access to competitive tariffs all contributing.

Carmarthenshire families reliant on heating oil have faced some of the sharpest increases of all, with many paying triple what they once did — and rural communities have faced the additional threat of fuel theft as prices have rocketed.

The £150 average reduction applied automatically to bills from April offered some relief. But analysts at Cornwall Insight warn that the Ofgem price cap is on course to rise by around 20% in July — pushing the average annual bill from £1,641 to £1,973 — more than wiping out any April saving.

The driving force is the conflict in Iran. US and Israeli strikes against Iran began on 28 February 2026, prompting Iran to warn ships not to cross the Strait of Hormuz — a waterway that usually provides passage for around 20% of the world’s petroleum and liquefied natural gas supply. UK wholesale natural gas prices rose by roughly 75% between late February and late March as a result.

The government has responded with an energy package aimed at reducing the effect of higher gas prices on electricity bills, including offering voluntary long-term fixed contracts to low-carbon generators and raising the electricity generator levy from 45% to 55%. But the NIESR has warned the government has little fiscal space to provide anything like the £40 billion support package deployed during the 2022 energy crisis.

Swansea West MP Torsten Bell has written about the need to protect households from the economic fallout of the Iran conflict, while Citizens Advice Cymru has warned there is already no sign of easing in the cost of living crisis across Wales.

New research commissioned by British Gas Energy Trust found 40% of people still don’t seek help when struggling with bills. Stigma and embarrassment are the biggest barrier, cited by 38% of respondents — up from 33% the previous year. Others wrongly believe they won’t qualify for support (29%), or find the application process too daunting (17%).

It is in this context that the west Wales drop-in events take on added significance — offering a rare chance to get free, practical, face-to-face help at a time when many households are bracing for another difficult winter.

At the Llanelli, Carmarthen, Ammanford and Asda sessions, trained advisers will help with budget planning, managing energy debt, applying for debt write-off grants and accessing energy-saving measures. British Gas representatives will also be on hand to explain payment plan options and support schemes.

Tracey Talbot, Interim Chief Executive Officer at British Gas Energy Trust, said the partnership with local charities was designed to bring help directly into communities. “No one should feel alone in this — and we want people to know that help is not only available, but designed to work for them, wherever they are in life,” she said.

Daniel Barr, Senior Vulnerable Customer Lead at British Gas, said the first conversation with an adviser could make a real difference. British Gas has committed £140 million to help customers with energy bills since 2021 — the biggest voluntary support package from an energy company, it says.

Research also found 67% of people believe there should be more government and charity programmes to help manage rising energy costs. With the July price cap rise looming, the four events in west Wales this month may come at exactly the right moment for households already struggling to keep up.

Fuel theft fears: Rural Wales on alert as prices rocket and criminals circle

The warning has been issued by FUW Insurance Services Ltd after a dramatic spike in the cost of red diesel and heating oil linked to global instability.

In just a matter of weeks, red diesel prices have surged from around 67p per litre to 109p — a jump of more than 60% — while heating oil has in some cases more than doubled to around £1.30 per litre.

Carmarthenshire communities among hardest hit

The impact is being felt most sharply in rural parts of the Swansea Bay region — particularly across Carmarthenshire, where reliance on heating oil remains high.

Previous Swansea Bay News reporting has revealed just how exposed some communities are. In areas such as Llannon, Cross Hands and Pen-y-groes, around 69% of households rely on oil, while the figure stands at 65% in Abergwili, Llanegwad and Carmel. Even in places like Llanddarog, Llangyndeyrn and Ferryside, more than four in ten homes depend on oil.

That leaves thousands of households vulnerable to sudden price shocks — and increasingly, to criminals.

Fears of a surge in rural crime

Experts say spikes in fuel costs have historically gone hand-in-hand with a rise in theft — and farms are often prime targets.

Fuel tanks, agricultural machinery and storage units can all be vulnerable, with thieves able to strike quickly and cause serious damage in the process. Beyond the immediate financial hit, incidents can also lead to environmental harm if tanks are tampered with or fuel is spilled.

Dafydd Peredur Jones of FUW Insurance Services Ltd said:

“Rising fuel prices are placing additional pressure on rural communities, but they also increase the risk of theft.

We are urging farmers and rural residents to take proactive steps to protect their fuel supplies and remain vigilant.”

Not just farms in the firing line

The warning extends beyond agriculture.

Rural buildings such as churches, chapels, village halls and community centres — many of which rely on heating oil and may be left unattended — are also being urged to tighten security.

Simple steps like monitoring fuel levels, securing tanks and installing CCTV could make all the difference.

Part of a wider fuel crisis

The alert comes as pressure continues to build across the region.

Swansea Bay News has previously reported on growing fears over potential fuel rationing, alongside the real-world impact on businesses — including a Llanelli haulier facing staggering cost increases of up to £64,000 a week.

At the same time, families across rural communities have been hit hard by soaring heating bills, with some seeing costs triple in a matter of months. Rising prices have also been linked to a resurgence in heating oil theft incidents across Wales.

With global instability continuing to drive prices higher, communities across Carmarthenshire and the wider Swansea Bay region are now facing a double threat – sky-high costs and the growing risk of crime.

“Remain vigilant”

With no immediate sign of prices easing, the message from experts is clear: stay alert.

For many across rural south west Wales, fuel isn’t a luxury — it’s essential for heating homes, running farms and keeping businesses moving.

And as prices climb, protecting it has never been more important.

“The #carbontax has added more than 17 cents per litre to #gasoline in most #provinces, so drivers should see an immediate drop at the pump when the new rate takes effect on April 1.

“Households using #naturalgas or #heatingoil can also expect lower monthly bills. A new report by Desjardins Economics predicts the price of natural gas will fall 12.8 per cent between March and April.”
#canada #cdnpoli #cdn
Here's what will be cheaper after carbon tax cut on April 1

Why the carbon tax often costs more in Atlantic Canada
#Canada #CarbonPricing #ClimateChange #FossilFuels #NaturalGas #ClimatePolicies #CarbonTax #HeatingOil #Fairness #EnergyPolicy #CO2E #CO2 #NaturalGasFurnaces #WaterHeating #CAIP
https://the-14.com/why-the-carbon-tax-often-costs-more-in-atlantic-canada/

Why the carbon tax often costs more in Atlantic Canada
#Canada #CarbonPricing #ClimateChange #FossilFuels #NaturalGas #ClimatePolicies #CarbonTax #HeatingOil #Fairness #EnergyPolicy #CO2E #CO2 #NaturalGasFurnaces #WaterHeating #CAIP
https://the-14.com/why-the-carbon-tax-often-costs-more-in-atlantic-canada/

Global News BC: B.C. deserves relief on heating bills, too: Eby https://globalnews.ca/news/10059857/bc-carbon-tax-heating-bills/ #globalnews #britishcolumbia #news #Environment #BCpolitics #Heatingoil #CarbonTax #Politics #DavidEby

I've just bought some #heatingoil (rural, no gas); half a tank costs as much as a full tank a year ago, and the price went up between the quote and the next day when I ordered.