Gas debt and disconnections

Authors: Karen Rowlingson, Elaine Kempson
Published by: Policy Studies Institute
Publication date: 1993
Report number: PSI Research Report 751
ISBN: 0853745854

In the early 1990s, the number of UK gas disconnections stood at around 16,000. This study disentangled the complex reasons why people become indebted resulting in disconnections. Using qualitative methods, the study examined the individual circumstances behind the statistics on debt and disconnection. Many were living on very low incomes, less than the basic income support levels in some cases. Changes in circumstance such as redundancy or divorce often added to the difficulties of living on a low income.