Martin Lewis’s stern warning to government after caller’s heartbreaking plea
Martin Lewis expressed his anger against the government after a man messaged into his show to say he can’t afford electricity to power his disabled son’s stair lift.
The message was read out on ITV’s The Martin Lewis Money Show Live which aired last night.
When the message was read out, Mr Lewis was left visibly shocked by the scenario the man finds himself in.
The full message reads: ‘My outstanding electricity balance is nearly £3,000 which I can’t afford to pay. My energy company said they can’t help.
‘My son has autism and is disabled, and we have a stair lift for him so need electricity.
‘I’m scared for my electricity to be cut off, please can you help?’
Before offering some valuable advice to the man, Mr Lewis had a strong message to the government.
He said: ‘I remember talking to a minister on Good Morning Britain about people with disabilities saying we need to protect them from the energy crisis.
‘We still haven’t seen anything properly put into place.’
Mr Lewis offered his advice to people who have disabilities and find themselves struggling with the cost of electricity this winter.
He suggested always talking to your energy firm first who may come up with a different payment plan.
‘Say if you’re vulnerable and you’ll get on the priority services register,’ he said.
He also said charities like National Energy Action, Citizens Advice, StepChange, Age UK and Scope can also also offer bespoke help.
If people are struggling to heat the home, Mr Lewis said it is more important to heat the person, rather than the home.
‘If you’re struggling, heat the human not the home,’ he said.
‘Properly layering as if you are outside can really help during the day.
‘Sleep in a sleeping bag with a hot water bottle but don’t use the same hot water bottle for one or two years, they are dangerous and have a flower on them that tells you what the date of them is.
‘Put your feet up. The reason for this is that the floors are really cold in the household. So if you are going to be in the house don’t have your feet on the floor.’
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