A REVEREND in Andover has called on the government to introduce a social tariff for the non-profit sector as his church sees its energy bills increase by more than ten times last years prices.

Reverend Andy Fitchet, of Andover Methodist Church on Bridge Street, said that in July 2021 the building’s electricity bill was £70. In July 2022, it was more than £1000. 

He said: “It made me feel sick. I have no idea how we are going to pay for the winter.

 “Given it’s the summer and we use no gas, my best estimate is around £4000 a month in the winter. Last year our bills were just over £4000 for the year.” 

The Chancellor has claimed he will challenge energy bosses to do more to help their customers cope with soaring prices at a crunch meeting this week.

Nadhim Zahawi acknowledged that more is needed to be done to help people with the spike in the cost of living ahead of winter.

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The discussion comes as the ‘cap’ on domestic energy charges hasbeen forecast to hit more than £4,200 in January.

However, there is currently no cap at all for churches, charities, or non-profits because energy companies have no charity rate and these organisations instead mostly come under business rates. 

Revd Fitchet continued: “I believe the government should be introducing a social tariff for energy for those on the lowest incomes and for the non-profit sector.

“I think most church and community organisations are facing the same problem as we are. Many of these places have been urged to open in the winter months as ‘warm banks’ to give people a safe warm space to come if they can’t afford to heat their homes. Many churches are, however, completely self-funding and rely on donations.”

Looking to the future, Revd Fitchet says his church will not have to close, but figuring out how to navigate the price increase is ‘stressful’. 

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He said: “As a church, we won't close, we are one of the larger churches in Andover with a good size congregation. 

“Our resources are finite, however, and we may have to look at a few services online during the winter months to curtail the costs of using the building. 

“It's a stressful time, emotionally, for many of us as we individually face huge increases and we do as a church too.”