Record energy bill price hikes are pushing more members of the public to refuse paying their bills.

What does the UK’s ‘Don’t Pay’ energy movement do and how does it work?

This winter, millions of British citizens won’t be able to afford food or bills.

Households have been losing income whilst prices have been rising, partly as a result of the Ukraine crisis and economic uncertainty as a result of Covid-19. National Energy Action estimates 11,400 winter deaths are already caused by cold temperatures every year. By the end of 2022 this number may be much higher.

6.3 million households won’t be able to afford their energy bills. Rates of self-disconnection are up eight -fold, with at least 3600 cases between January and May this year already.

If the government fails to intervene and the energy companies do not reduce prices, a record-breaking number of British citizens will freeze to death in their homes.

Don’t Pay UK is a vehicle for mass non-payment strikes that hopes to prevent this price hike on energy bills. They aim to persuade at least a million people to not pay their energy bills unless the bills are reduced by 1st October 2022.

The movement is targeting energy companies specifically instead of other sectors such as food and rent. There is a clear date to work towards as energy bills are projected to rise past £3200 in October.

According to Don’t Pay UK, even if a fraction of those paying by direct debit stop their payments, it will be enough to put energy companies in serious trouble and force them to negotiate with Don’t Pay UK.

What is the plan for Don’t Pay?

Don’t Pay UK’s plan is a simple three step process.

The first stage is to build support by encouraging over one million people to join. Don’t Pay UK will connect with people through email lists, social media platforms such as Reddit and TikTok, online meetups via Zoom and in-person meetups, as well as spreading the word through…