Racing Welfare: 43 per cent rise in claims for financial help as fuel bills soar

The news that Britain's energy price cap will increase by 80 per cent in October was described by Racing Welfare as likely to "deepen the crisis" faced by many racing and stud staff already under financial pressure as food and fuel prices rise.

The charity says that the requests for grants to help current and former members of racing's workforce rose by 43 per cent in the first six months of 2022 when compared with the same period last year.

The energy watchdog Ofgem raised the cap on what energy firms could charge in the spring by 53 per cent and the estimated average household price for gas and electricity from October 1 of £3,549 will be almost three times the level of just last summer.

Racing Welfare was able to pay £78,000 worth of winter fuel grants to 260 recipients between January and May this year thanks to funding from the foundation named in memory of former owner-breeder John Pearce, and is hoping to repeat that support this winter.

"At Racing Welfare we've seen a dramatic uptake in people seeking financial assistance," said deputy head of welfare Becky Ireland. "In fact there has been a near 43 per cent increase in financial assistance awarded to individuals working in or retired from the racing industry to the mid-year point against the same period in 2021.

"We expect this is due to the increase in cost of living we've seen during 2022, particularly in relation to energy costs, and all in addition to the financial pressures put on many during the pandemic from which people have had literally no time to recover."

Ireland said the announcement that with energy prices due to jump again steeply – and with a further lifting of the cap in January as Ofgem moves to a quarterly review – would only increase demand for Racing Welfare's support.

"The increase of the energy price cap announced today further deepens the crisis and will see many facing fuel poverty this winter," said Ireland.

Racing Welfare received a 43 per cent increase in demand for financial assistance from current and former racing staff in the first six months of 2022Credit: Annie Mania Photography

"Thanks to funding from the John Pearce Foundation, Racing Welfare has been able to provide targeted grants to help people working in or retired from the racing industry with spiralling costs.

"In addition to providing return to school grants, we also hope to once again offer our winter fuel grant later this year, which is specifically aimed at meeting increased winter fuel costs for those living on or below the Joseph Rowntree minimum income standard. This support has clearly never been more needed."

The charity's return to school grants offer £100 per child and are aimed at covering the cost of essentials such as uniform, PE kit and educational equipment.

As many as 37 individual applications to fund 72 children have been issued since the scheme was launched on August 1 and eligible parents still have until September 1 to apply for a return to school grants.

Anyone who needs support can get in touch with Racing Welfare via the 24/7 support line 0800 6300 443 or by visiting racingwelfare.co.uk.

'The grant was easy to apply for'

Racing Welfare points to the fact that 14 per cent of applicants for the first tranche of winter fuel grants had never reached out to the charity before.

One recipient of the grant hailed both the ease of application and the speed with which they were able to access funds.

The 58-year-old father of two, who works as a stud hand, called Racing's Support Line in February and within a week had been seen by a welfare officer, helped with his application and received much-needed funds.

The man, who Racing Welfare referred to by the alias of Jack to protect his privacy, said: "The grant was easy to apply for once I’d got the supporting evidence and it's certainly helped our finances at least in the short term. I would certainly recommend that anyone who thinks they might be eligible to contact Racing Welfare to find out more."

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