for the education of the public in relation to debt awareness and prevention and

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1 Annual Report 2013 The British Gas Energy Trust (BGET), launched in 2004, receives funding from British Gas but is governed by an independent Board of unpaid Trustees drawn from across the UK. Trustees have a wealth of relevant experience working within the money advice, energy, charitable and financial sectors. The British Gas Energy Trust exists: (i) (ii) (iii) for the relief of poverty among those who are unable to meet or pay charges for the supply of energy to premises used or occupied by them for the education of the public in relation to debt awareness and prevention and to work with other UK trust funds and organisations to encourage good practice and consistency for the public good. The Trust meets its aims by delivering two grants programmes: 1 Individuals and Families Grants Programme 2 Grants are awarded to clear gas and electricity debts. In exceptional circumstances other priority debts can be cleared and grants awarded for essential energy efficient white goods purchased. These awards are known as Further Assistance Payments (FAPs). Applicants also benefit from the BGET working with other utility Trusts and Funds administered by Charis within a Shared Programme of Giving to provide holistic help and enhance the advantage of their awards, namely the Anglian Water Assistance Fund, EDF Energy Trust, South East Water s Helping Hand and the npower Energy Fund. In addition the Trust endeavours to encourage them to work with utility suppliers in order that they can manage their bills going forward. An applicant only has to complete one application form to be considered for help from any of these Trusts and Funds. The BGET encourages applicants to seek money advice at all stages of the application process in order to increase their chance of a successful application and increase their chance of becoming financially sustainable. Organisational Grants Programme Grants are awarded to increase specialist fuel debt advice, providing one-to-one assistance for those in need with: - Resolving energy debt problems and negotiating with energy suppliers - Completing applications to the British Gas Energy Trust where appropriate - A range of other energy issues including: Energy efficiency advice How to read energy meters Setting up payment plans and monthly direct debits Money / fuel debt advice Referrals to other grant making trusts or schemes or alternative specialist advice agencies for resolution of other debt issues and welfare benefits advice. CASE STUDY Mr and Mrs H were both registered disabled and survived on a limited budget. They were both deaf and suffered from a range of other medical conditions including diabetes. When the couple were referred to the BGET funded organisation, DAWN Advice, they had been without heating and hot water for over three months and had substantial arrears on both their gas and electricity accounts. Their disability meant that they could not communicate over the telephone so DAWN made a home visit. Their three-bedroom Victorian terraced property was colder inside than it was outside and their old inefficient boiler was in urgent need of replacement. Mr and Mrs H s application to the Trust was successful and they were awarded 2,411 to clear their gas and electricity arrears. DAWN immediately assisted the couple with an application to the BGET to clear their gas and electricity arrears. In addition the support worker fast tracked an application for a new boiler to Warm up North, an organisation based in the North East helping households save money and energy, which was installed shortly after the application was approved. Dawn Advice also gave the couple benefits advice to maximise their income, registered them to British Gas Warm Home Discount Scheme and put the couple on to British Gas Priority Services Register.

2 Chair s Report I am pleased to present the 2013 Annual Report for the British Gas Energy Trust (BGET). This has been another busy year for the BGET and my first as Chair. In 2013 the BGET received 27,683 applications, a 15% increase on the number received in A total of 11,771 awards, totalling 7.3 million, were made to families and individuals in need clearing their energy debts, and in exceptional circumstances helping with other priority household bills and items. The BGET continues to receive high volumes of applications and still generously supports customers of all utility companies experiencing financial hardship. British Gas current annual donation to the BGET is 9.1 million with funds committed to the end of March The BGET continued to support its Centres of Excellence in 2013 by financially supporting specialist project workers working within these charitable advice organisations. In 2013 the BGET supported 18 organisations in the provision of specialist fuel debt advice and holistic money / debt advice, promotion of the BGET via presentations within local communities and PR campaigns and increasing the submission of quality applications to the BGET. On 1 April the BGET commenced project funding to three new Shelter organisations based in Birmingham, Norwich and Dumfries. A fourth Shelter based in Edinburgh launched its project in August. Funding to Community Links, Coventry Law Centre and Bradford and Airedale Citizens Advice Bureau ceased after two years funding from the Trust. On behalf of Trustees I would like to thank all funded organisations, both past and present for their work in the community and their support of the Trust. At the beginning of 2014 we were sad to lose Michelle Mitchell from the Board. Michelle and I joined the Board together in May 2013 however commitments to her job as Chief Executive at the MS Society and time constraints led to her decision to step down. I would like to thank Michelle for her input and valuable contribution during her time on the Board. Following Michelle s departure, we were delighted to welcome John Kolm-Murray, Seasonal Health and Affordable Warmth Co-ordinator at Islington Council to the Board in May I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank my predecessor Tom Wright CBE for his strong guidance of the Trust during his three years as Chairman. I also extend my thanks to fellow Trustees old and new for their commitment, enthusiasm and contribution to the Trust during the year. On behalf of Trustees I would like to express our sincere thanks to British Gas for their continued support and generosity. Without the considerable level of funding and support they provide, the Trust would not be able to help the vulnerable families and individuals most in need of support. And finally we thank the staff at Charis for their services in administering the Trust and the support and guidance they provide to Trustees. Imelda Redmond CBE, Chair Achievements in 2013 A total of 27,683 applications were received in 2013, a 15% increase on 2012 s total of 24, ,771 awards were made to individuals and families in need. The total value of these awards was 7,335,004. The Trust funded a total of 18 money advice organisations throughout the year to deliver specialist fuel debt advice within their local communities and raise awareness of the help available from the Trust. Summary of the Trust s 2014 Objectives The effective administration of a programme of grant giving aimed at reducing energy debt for individuals and families experiencing poverty and hardship. The funding of an effective organisational grants programme supporting the provision of holistic advice services aimed at reducing and managing debt, maximising income and tackling fuel poverty via specialist fuel debt advisors based in: I. Citizens Advice Bureaux and charitable money advice organisations II. GP surgeries and healthcare centres. The principal financial objective of the Trust is to disburse over the course of the twelve months to 31 December 2014, committed income of 8 million from British Gas in April 2014, plus brought forward reserves of 2 million (from British Gas previous 8 million donation), plus 9.3 million brought forward from the additional 10 million received in 2013 and an additional 1.3 million donation received in Leaving 1,106,693 designated reserves to cover unforeseen contingencies at 31 December 2014 and 2 million of the annual 8 million donation to finance the first quarter of 2015, plus 1,627,892 from the additional 10m donation (total 4,734,584). I would like to say a big thank you to the Trust for clearing the remaining arrears following my husband s funeral. It was a very tough time for me and I don t know how I would have coped if it wasn t for the generosity of the Trust, I will always be grateful to you for helping me in my time of need. Applicant awarded 1,700 to clear the remaining balance on husband s funeral arrears.

3 Grants Programmes 1. Individuals and Families Grants Programme The Trust primarily awards grants to individuals and families to clear energy debts. However it also has a smaller budget from which grants are awarded to clear other priority debts and purchase essential energy efficient white goods (known as Further Assistance Payments). A total of 27,683 applications were submitted to the Trust in 2013 and resulted in 11,771 awards totalling 7,335,179. 9,181 awards were made to clear energy debt totalling 5,069,709. 2,590 Further Assistance Payments were awarded totalling 1,665,470. The average energy award was 618 and the average Further Assistance Payment was 643. Further Assistance Payments In 2013 the majority of Further Assistance Payments were for essential household goods such as beds, carpets and energy efficient white goods. Whilst Further Assistance Payments do not directly clear fuel debt, they can alleviate an applicant s financial difficulties by releasing additional funds into the household budget. 58% of payments were for essential household goods. 17% of payments were for Bankruptcy fees / Debt Relief Order (DRO) / Low Income Low Asset (LILA) fees 13% of payments were for boiler repairs / replacements. 71% of Further Assistance Payments related to the alleviation of fuel debt either via an energy efficient white good or boiler, in line with the Trust s main objectives. 57.5% 17.1% 13.3% 6.2% 2.8% 1.3% 1.2% 0.3% Household needs Bankruptcy fees / Debt Relief Order (DRO) / Low Income Low Asset (LILA) fees Boiler repair/replacement Funeral expenses Rent arrears Council tax arrears Water and sewerage arrears Telephone arrears 0.3% Coal and oil In May 2014, Trustees decided to reduce the Further Assistance Payment provision to manage the significant demand on the Trust s budget. As of 1 July 2014 the BGET now offers the following items: Energy efficient white goods funeral arrears boiler repair/replacement Bankruptcy deposit / Debt Relief Order (DRO) / Low Income Low Asset (LILA) fees For further information please visit the Trust s website Application Numbers versus Requests As applicants may make multiple requests on an application e.g. for a utility debt and a Further Assistance Payment, the total number of requests is always greater than the total number of applications made. In ,293 requests were made from 27,683 applications, an increase of 9% on the number of requests received in This highlights the level of need of applicants to the Trust. I am writing this le er to thank you so much for clearing my gas and electricity debt. I would never have been able to pay it off without the help from the Trust. The award from the Trust has enabled me to budget my money be er and keep on top of my current charges, my life is almost stress free now. Applicant awarded 958 to clear gas and electricity arrears.

4 2. Organisational Grants Programme The Trust funded 18 organisations and over 35 funded workers in 2013 across the UK. Engagement between Charis and the Centres of Excellence is crucial and is carried out on a regular basis. The overall aim of the Programme is to help each client receive the holistic help they require to get them back on track and remain free of energy debt. The Centres ensure every client receives the help, support and guidance required to meet their individual needs and resolve debt problems to their entirety, regardless of whether they have a British Gas debt or not. All Centres will go the extra mile for a client when liaising with their debtors, but equally will let able clients deal with any follow up work where appropriate; this often leaves the clients feeling empowered, teaching them life skills for the future. Three new Shelter organisations based in Birmingham, Norwich, and Dumfries launched on 1 April while Shelter Edinburgh launched its project in August. Funding to Coventry Law Centre ceased on 31 March 2013 shortly followed by Community Links Trust and Bradford and Airedale CAB whose projects ended on 30 June after two years of funding from the Trust. In 2013 the funded organisations submitted over 2,000 applications and provided support and advice to thousands of people in need including both customers and non-customers of British Gas. Applications supported by a funded organisation are more likely to be successful as they are usually of a better quality and can demonstrate holistic intervention. Each funded worker has qualified in energy awareness and holds the Level 3 City and Guilds 6281/01 delivered by National Energy Action (NEA). In total 1,041,496 was physically paid to 18 organisations during the year, leaving a committed balance of 598,363 to be paid in Charis provides ongoing support to help the organisations meet their targets with training provided at the commencement of their project and ongoing networking and training opportunities provided during the year including refresher training from NEA and Charis team of Grants Assessors. This helps to keep their knowledge of the Trust up to date. For more information and details of the funded organisations please visit Total funding paid in 2013 Organisation Funding paid in 2013 Organisation Funding paid in 2013 Bromley by Bow 66,419 Manchester CAB 94,931 Bradford CAB 34,947 St Ann s Advice Group 65,218 Money Matters Money Advice Centre 89,000 Community Links Trust 33,885 Speakeasy Advice Centre 54,278 Riverside Advice 33,250 St Helens CAB 88,975 Preston CAB 33,250 Talking Money (formerly BDAC) 93,985 Local Solutions 69,172 Coventry Law Centre 17,500 Dawn Advice 66,500 Shelter Birmingham 105,296 Shelter Norwich 55,516 Shelter Dumfries 26,965 Shelter Edinburgh 12,409 Total 1,041,496 CASE STUDY Ms P was 24 years old and lived with her two young children in council accommodation. She had fallen into hardship after fleeing from her violent ex-partners and had built up substantial gas and electricity arrears. Since 2010 Ms P had been in two violent, abusive relationships. Her first resulted in her having to move in with her mother for six weeks to ensure her protection. She later settled down again but unfortunately ended up in another abusive relationship. Fortunately she managed to break free after he was sent to prison. The traumatic, unsafe and unstable environment made it hard for Ms P to raise her children and manage her daily affairs, including managing her budget. As a result she fell into debt which left her and her children living in extreme fuel poverty. Realistically she was unable to clear her arrears as she was living off a low income and could not meet the minimum recovery charges set by British Gas. With the help of BGET funded organisation Speakeasy, Ms P managed to reduce her weekly repayments to 3.60 on her gas and electricity meters. She also received money/energy efficiency advice to help her manage her budget and energy usage and submitted an application to the Trust to clear her energy arrears. Ms P s application was successful and 3,378 was credited to her British Gas account. She was also awarded an energy efficient washing machine as a Further Assistance Payment as hers was broken beyond repair. Ms P s award from the Trust helped her get back on her feet and released her from the stress of her debts allowing her a better chance to recover from the trauma she had experienced. Thank you so much for my award of a new electric cooker. After falling ill and taking time off work I could not afford to replace my cooker when it broke. After living off cold food and microwavable meals for six months my condition began to deteriorate. My award from the Trust has changed my life and improved my health thank you. Applicant awarded a new energy efficient electric cooker.

5 Treasurer s Report - Review of Finances During 2013 the BGET continued to operate to the financial model established in earlier years. The increased donation by British Gas has, however, enabled the scale of charitable giving to be increased, both in terms of the number of grants made and the proportion of applicants that can be helped. The additional gift of 8.1m was received part way through the year, and its expenditure is being phased over several months. Therefore its impact will extend into Administration and grants assessment have been outsourced to Charis. The residual funds available after their costs have been applied to charitable purposes in proportions agreed in advance by the Trustees. During the year 8.5m million was applied directly to the relief of energy debt, focusing on trying to help recipients into a more sustainable position with regard to this aspect of their financial affairs. 2.2m million was spent on Further Assistance Payments, relieving other aspects of hardship, with a 0.8m spent on boilers and plumbing to help applicants reduce their energy costs in the longer term. A key governance issue has been ensuring that applicants were assessed consistently and to appropriate standards given the substantial increase in donation. The budgeted monthly run rate for making awards has been set so as to ensure a broadly even monthly spend over the time frame to 31 March The 9.7m undesignated and 2.0m restricted funds carried forward at the year-end will finance grant making during The BGET continues with its commitment to organisations providing financial advice to disadvantaged communities. Most of the 12 organisational contracts entered into in 2012 have been renewed. These organisations have been an important source of referral of applications to the Trust during the year. The range of organisations being supported has been extended by both type and nature, with a partnership with Shelter becoming operational part way through the year. The designated reserves include 0.6 million to finance the roll forward of the organisational programme at the expiry of the current contracts. Stephen Harrap, Treasurer, British Gas Energy Trust Summary of BGET Account for the year ended 31 December 2013 Summary Statement of Financial Activities Year ended 31 Dec 13,000 % % % Year ended 31 Dec 12,000 % Total incoming resources 18,176 4,734 22,910 12,765 4,568 17,333 Funds available brought forward Total funds available this year Resources expended Charitable activities Governance costs 10, , Total resources expended 10,048 12,599 Funds balance at 31 December 12, , I could not believe it when I received the le er telling me that the Trust was awarding me a new boiler. After three winters with no heating it was such a relief to hear that we wouldn t have to go without heat for another year. Words cannot describe how grateful I am, thank you so so much!! Applicant awarded a new energy efficient boiler.

6 How to apply to the British Gas Energy Trust The quickest and easiest way to apply to the British Gas Energy Trust is via its online application form via Supporting evidence should be scanned and attached to the form to allow for assessment of the application to begin. Alternatively application forms can be downloaded from the Trust s website Or requested via the Trust s dedicated telephone line Written correspondence should be addressed to the Trust s freepost address: FREEPOST RRZJ-XBSY-GYRG British Gas Energy Trust PO BOX 42 PE3 8XH Or by ing bget@charisgrants.com Trustees and Officers 2013 Tom Wright CBE Chairman, Resigned May 2013 Imelda Redmond Chair, Appointed May 2013 Michelle Mitchell Vice Chair, Appointed May 2013, Resigned January 2014 Stephen Harrap Treasurer Maria Wardrobe Gill Tishler Andrew Brown John Kolm-Murray Appointed May 2014 Registered Address Midgate House Midgate PE1 1TN Charity Registration Number Auditors Rawlinsons 90 Lincoln Road PE1 2SP Bankers National Westminster Bank plc PO Box 15 Cathedral Square PE1 1HW Solicitors Farrer & Co 66 Lincoln s Inn Fields London WC2A 3LH Administrators Charis Grants Ltd Midgate House Midgate PE1 1TN Charis is a company with extensive experience of delivering a range of holistic services for companies to support vulnerable customers. These include: grants management, services for charitable and corporate giving; assessment of eligibility for hardship schemes such as the Warm Home Discount; assessment for social tariffs, etc. Visit