Facing the Energy Debt Crisis Together: Reflections from Our Housing 2025 Panel

Last updated: 3rd July 2025

The scale of household energy debt in the UK continues to grow and it’s no longer a problem that any one group can tackle alone. On the Thursday morning of Housing 2025, Energy Angels hosted a panel session focused on this very issue. What we heard reinforced what many of us already know: escalating debt is no longer a future threat; it’s a current, deepening crisis that demands joint action.

Our panel brought together voices from across the housing and energy sectors to confront one central truth – that energy debt is not just an individual or landlord issue, but an industry-wide concern that affects suppliers, social landlords, residents, and the wider community.

Clarity on the Problem. Direction on the Solution.

As highlighted in our session, debt is growing at a concerning pace. The latest figures from BFY Group’s July report show that Ofgem’s Q1 2025 data reveals domestic debt reaching new highs, with over £4.1 billion in total debt and £3.1 billion of that not currently being repaid. That’s more than £4 in every £5 of energy debt sitting idle, placing increasing pressure on social landlords, suppliers, and most importantly, the residents who are often already vulnerable.

This isn’t just about pounds and pence. It’s about wellbeing, housing stability, and the growing inequality created by energy poverty. Our panel explored how a proactive and collaborative approach can make a meaningful difference, even in the face of such daunting numbers. ​

“There will be social landlords that are reluctant to provide data because they’re not confident on the data protection rules” Carl Jones – Hyde Housing

Joined-Up Working: The Only Way Forward

The takeaways were clear: this problem can’t be solved in isolation. We need to move beyond blame and towards shared responsibility.

Residents need to be willing to pay for the energy they use and commit to a payment method that works for them.

• Social landlords and residents have a responsibility to provide key data points: first name, surname, email and/or telephone number and equally as important, meter reads.

• Energy suppliers must use this data to manage accurate accounts and billing to avoid estimated billing and fictitious debt.

• Residents need to be willing to pay for the energy they use and commit to a payment method that works for them.

“The starting point in all this is the tenancy agreement, because the tenancy agreement will make it clear and contractual who is responsible for the bills when the property is empty and lived in.” Gary O’Reilly – SME Comply

And sitting in the middle? Services like Energy Angels, helping to connect the dots, using our award-winning Energise portal and void energy management expertise to prevent debt, before it starts and reduce it where it already exists.

Housing 2025 was a wake-up call, but also a rallying point. There’s huge appetite for collaboration, but it must be backed by action. If we can create shared processes and trust across our sectors, we can do more than react to the crisis. We can help end it.

Whether you’re a social landlord, local authority, or energy supplier, Energy Angels can help you tackle energy debt head-on, with proactive void energy support and tools designed to reduce arrears and empower residents.

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