The Race Equality Foundation has been awarded a grant by the British Gas Energy Trust (the Trust) to help raise awareness of the Trusts energy debt write-off grants amongst Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

Currently, around 13% of grant recipients are Black, Asian or minority ethnic. Through a partnership with the Race Equality Foundation, the Trust hopes to break down barriers such as stigma, digital exclusion and poor mental health, supporting more applications to help households become energy debt free.

Black, Asian and minority ethnic households are 2.5x more likely to be in relative poverty and 2.2x more likely to be in deep poverty compared to White households. The Race Equality Foundation will work with Asian People’s Disability Alliance and Elays Network to engage with Black, Asian and minority ethnic clients, providing them with support and guidance around energy debt relief and aiding with applications.

The Trusts energy grants provide up to £2,000 to British Gas and non-British Gas customers with debt on credit or prepayment meter accounts. Alongside other eligibility criteria, applicants must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have received money advice within the last six months.

Jabeer Butt, CEO of the Race Equality Foundation, said:

“Energy inequality is yet another reflection of the systemic disadvantages faced by people of Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic backgrounds. With fuel poverty disproportionately affecting these groups, its consequences extend beyond financial strain—it deepens existing health inequalities and erodes well-being. With the British Gas Energy Trust as a partner, we want to address the stark reality that many households struggle to access even the most basic energy support. By working with trusted local organisations, we can help bridge this gap, ensuring that more people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds receive the debt relief they urgently need. This project is a vital step toward tackling the racial disparities in fuel poverty and ensuring that support reaches those who are too often overlooked.”

Jessica Taplin, CEO of British Gas Energy Trust, said:

“At the British Gas Energy Trust, we are deeply committed to addressing the inequalities that exist in our communities, especially when it comes to the disproportionate impact of fuel poverty. We are delighted to fund the Race Equality Foundation, which aims to positively transform the lives of Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities; the new project will seek to encourage and promote awareness and take up of the support and grants available to support those in fuel poverty. The foundation is committed to creating a better future, where all communities receive the support and services they need, which is a shared and mutual ambition and closely aligned to the project.”