Sign in

Simon Francis

@sifrancis.bsky.social
207 followers 238 following 79 posts

Work on campaigns (especially @EndFuelPoverty.bsky.social). Love coastal rowing. Tha beagan Gàidhlig agam 🏳️‍🌈

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Raiding the Warm Homes Plan budget would break a manifesto promise. When we last did polling on this issue, 48% of Labour voters said the pledge to upgrade cold homes was a factor in their vote. Cutting the Plan could lead to higher bills for longer and voters will see it as a betrayal.
052
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Ofgem's price cap is rising today, but experts predict the worst is yet to come. All the while we stay hooked to volatile fossil fuel markets, UK households will be stuck with high energy bills, while energy giants take home billions in profit.
123
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
As households suffer in energy debt, The likes of Shell and BP rake in record profits.
000
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
🚨Wildfires in Scotland, England, Wales, France and Spain caused by extreme heat. 🏥 Over 2,700 heat deaths in England and Wales this year. 💷 Homes that people can’t afford to keep cool during heatwaves. #EndFuelPoverty #Wildfire [1/2]
183
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Up early to chat energy bills and industry profits with @news.sky.com. Thanks to @leahboleto.bsky.social, Anna Jones and the team for having me on. More on what i said at @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social
Picture of Simon Francis, Anna Jones and Leah Boleto in the Sky News TV studio conducting an interview. The caption on screen reads “Energy bills: VAT to be cut on household electricity bills.”
020
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
And what does the results report say about the fines levied on the firm by Ofgem as the result of the pre-payment meters scandal? “It remains the case that no impact is expected to 2026 financial guidance as a result of this matter.” [p7]
000
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
We see you in the House of Lords…
001
Reposted by Simon Francis
Toby Murray @tbymrry.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
We talk about people in debt burying their heads in the sand... but it's the government that's burying its head over the sheer scale of debt in the country. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
independent.co.uk
UK energy debt crisis deepens for millions ahead of price cap rise
13 per cent of those in debt or concerned about missing payments owed money to ‘someone who makes them feel scared’
122
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Energy firms made £3bn profit in 3 months. Meanwhile 1 in 4 people in energy arrears are borrowing from people who make them feel scared just to keep the lights on. New research out today exposes the human cost of the energy debt crisis. www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/energy-debt-...
endfuelpoverty.org.uk
Energy debt fears plaguing UK households as industry profits rise
Energy industry profits hit £3 billion in three months. Meanwhile, nearly a third of UK adults are struggling with energy debt.
000
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Tony Blair’s growing oil extremism: Feb 25: Green jobs “overstated” Apr 25: Phasing out fossil fuels “doomed” Oct 25: Clean Power “driving up costs” Feb 26: Called for new North Sea drilling Apr 26: Urged govt to back Rosebank May 26: “Drain every drop” of oil www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Tony Blair Institute continued taking money from Saudi Arabia after Khashoggi murder
Blair defends continuing partnership with kingdom despite ‘anxieties’ after 2018 assassination of journalist
011
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Thanks @lbc.co.uk for letting me have my say on the price cap rise today. The next energy bill crisis starts on 1 July and households need short and long-term support to be ready. www.lbc.co.uk/article/ener...
lbc.co.uk
This is why your energy bill just went up – and why Government needs to act now | LBC
Waiting until September to confirm support promises a summer of suspense that vulnerable households cannot afford, writes fuel poverty campaigner Simon Francis
022
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
The UK just broke its hottest ever May temperature record. With warnings of more extreme weather to come in the future, we need coordinated action to upgrade homes for all seasons, not just winter. www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/record-may-h...
endfuelpoverty.org.uk
Record May heat reveals homes that cannot afford to keep cool
As parts of the UK enjoyed a bank holiday Monday, temperatures in England broke meteorological records. The UK has recorded its all-time hottest May temperature, with Heathrow hitting 33.5C on the Ban...
001
Reposted by Simon Francis
LabourList @labourlist.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
🚨 BREAKING: Streeting would lose leadership contest against Keir Starmer, poll reveals labourlist.org/2026/05/labo...
labourlist.org
Streeting would lose leadership contest against Keir Starmer, poll reveals – LabourList
Wes Streeting would lose a leadership contest against Keir Starmer in a landslide result, according to exclusive polling by LabourList. With the party seemingly on…
168929
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
As Westminster descends into chaos, the energy bills crisis will not wait, and neither can the households depending on the Government to act. In less than 2 weeks, households will learn how much their energy bills will increase. Ministers must set aside the power struggle and stay focussed.
000
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Initial read of the Kings Speech In: Warm Homes Agency, £90/yr RO saving, Ofgem reform, clean power planning, electricity pricing reforms, no new oil & gas. Not in: social tariff, forced PPM ban, fuel poverty targets, energy debt, Warm Homes Guarantee. www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/kings-speech...
endfuelpoverty.org.uk
King’s Speech outlines three energy Bills due to be debated by MPs
Today’s King’s Speech [detail in this pdf] confirmed the introduction of an Energy Independence Bill, covering three broad areas: tackling energy affordability, accelerating energy security, and manag...
010
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
In 15 days time households will learn how much their energy bills will increase by from 1 July. The Government should be working on a package of support for vulnerable households and those in energy debt now, while urgently reforming electricity prices to bring down costs for everyone.
000
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
🗳️Energy bills were voters' single biggest cost of living concern ahead of last week's elections across England, Scotland and Wales, cited by around 62% in each nation, new polling shows. The results reflect a real demand for action that has been far too slow to happen. [1/2]
121
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Energy bills were voters’ number one cost of living concern going into elections across England, Scotland and Wales. Governments must hold the line on the Windfall Tax, protect households from July’s bill rise & end our over-reliance on expensive oil & gas. www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/cost-of-livi...
endfuelpoverty.org.uk
Cost of living topped list of voters’ concerns going into elections
New polling from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), conducted by More in Common in the days before the elections, reveals that the cost of living crisis was the dominant concern for vote...
020
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
74% of the public say profiteering from the war is morally wrong. Yet some politicians and lobbyists are still trying to get the Windfall Tax cancelled.
000
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
The forced pre-payment meter scandal sent shockwaves through the energy industry. Three years on, the fallout has still not ended. The Energy Independence Bill must change this. www.thetimes.com/article/f192...
thetimes.com
Ed Miliband’s department backs blind approvals to force-fit meters
Warrants for prepayment devices waved through by judges in system that campaigners argue puts vulnerable households at risk
011
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Reform’s anti-net zero stance is out of step with its own potential voters. 64% back wind. 66% back solar. 58% want home tech to cut their bills. New polling.
000
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
And today, BP announce that their profits have doubled year on year thanks to the Middle East Conflict. The politicians / commentators calling for an end to the Windfall Tax seem quiet today?
000
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
🗣️Despite intense lobbying from the oil and gas industry to have the Windfall Tax removed, the public backs keeping it, with 53% saying scrapping it now would be wrong and just 22% disagreeing. That support is a majority across every party and every part of the country. [1/2]
197
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Just read the BBC report on what happened. Forced to ride on with a broken back. Horrific.
000
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
History is repeating itself as soaring oil and gas prices leave households facing huge energy bills while the energy industry makes huge profits. 📝Sign the petition to demand higher taxes on companies profiteering from this crisis you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ra... #EndFuelPoverty
259
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
🚨NEW: The Energy Rich List While households face an 18% bill rise this July, energy bosses have been pocketing millions from the Middle East conflict. 📈One CEO added £44.5 MILLION to their personal fortune in a single month.
153
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
I hope this kickstarts a creativity contest in hustings empty chairing during this election… www.heraldscotland.com/news/2597095...
heraldscotland.com
Scottish Tories replaced by stuffed toy at hustings event
A stuffed toy representing “one of Scotland’s missing species” was used to stand in for missing Scottish Conservatives at a recent Holyrood…
000
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
🚨1.7 million heating oil and LPG customers in the UK are already facing a Trump Tax on their energy bills. From 1st July millions more British households will also face increases in energy bills due to rising global oil and gas prices, caused by the conflict in the Middle East. [1/2]
112
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Households will face what amounts to a ‘Trump Tax’ on their energy bills as a result of the current conflict in the Middle East. Gas and oil prices have surged to fresh highs. www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/households-f...
endfuelpoverty.org.uk
Households face a fresh energy bill threat as gas prices hit three-year high
Households will face what amounts to a ‘Trump Tax’ on their energy bills as a result of the current conflict in the Middle East.
011
Reposted by Simon Francis
Alexa Phillips @alexaphillips.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Ministers are set to fast-track a project to target energy bill support at lower-income households, as analysts say bills are set to reach £2,000 to £2,500 in July. In @theipaper.com w @eleanormia.bsky.social +🗨️ from @sifrancis.bsky.social @nea.org.uk @theifs.bsky.social inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk
Household energy bills could hit £2,500 in July - here's who will have them cut
Ministers are looking at ways to make it easier to bring in targeted energy support for low-income households
023
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
After so many media reports and politicians criticising the Windfall Tax on energy profits, we decided to ask people in Scotland what they think…
000
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Read more: www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/scottish-pub...
endfuelpoverty.org.uk
Scottish public back the energy Windfall Tax in new poll
Twice as many people in Scotland support the Windfall Tax than oppose it, with support across all political parties parts of the country.
021
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
The @financialtimes.com market movers right now… The very same firms lobbying Treasury and DESNZ to scrap the Windfall Tax in the Spring Statement.
000
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
This next price cap will see massive changes to unit costs and standing charges… Get ready to check your bills!
000
Reposted by Simon Francis
Campaign Collective @campaignshq.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
To celebrate our 10th birthday, we invited campaign partners and clients we've worked with over the last decade to join us for a celebratory tea party. We've had the privilege to work on incredible, important campaigns over the years, and we're grateful to have played our part.
121
Reposted by Simon Francis
SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 15/02/2026
#Sheriffhall Roundabout Study by @heriotwattuni.bsky.social 🙋 User views wanted!! --> forms.office.com/pages/respon... @edi.bike @sw20.info @davejfrench.bsky.social @johnrobson87.bsky.social @mrjasonrose.bsky.social @shona-mcintosh.bsky.social @nigelbagshaw.bsky.social @sifrancis.bsky.social
start of survey form...

Sheriffhall Roundabout & A720 Bypass: Community Travel and Congestion Questionnaire
This questionnaire forms part of a Heriot-Watt University's civil engineering transport planning project examining congestion, safety and connectivity around the Sheriffhall Roundabout and surrounding sections of the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass.

The aim of this survey is to gather local residents’ and road users’ lived experiences, including how the roundabout currently operates, how congestion affects daily travel and what improvements could best support safer, more efficient and more sustainable movement for vehicles, public transport, pedestrians and cyclists
096
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Excellent analysis of the Tony Blair think tank’s latest pro fossil fuel spin by @fionaharvey.bsky.social @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
Tony Blair’s oil lobbying is a misleading rehash of fossil fuel industry spin
Ex-PM’s thinktank urges more drilling and fewer renewables, ignoring evidence that clean energy is cheaper and better for bills
1146
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Or is it that Sarwar is trying to make his own position untenable so he has to quit and not oversee the Scottish Labour meltdown in May?
000
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Another client on the list is Shell… wonder what they could have been lobbying for?
000
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Fair play to the National. These sort of notices are usually only sent out around high profile court cases, for victims of a major crime or where child protection is involved. Not for a politician who has courted the media for decades.
010
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Quite the timing for Tony Blair’s think tank to decide to intervene on the side of the energy industry corporate lobbyists… And in the week that Shell and Equinor both posted multi-billion pound 3 month profits.
000
Reposted by Simon Francis
Climate Centre @climatecentreuk.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
US Cold Snap Pushes UK Energy Prices A brutal US freeze has pushed gas prices above $6 for the first time since 2022, after a record 70% weekly surge. With the UK now heavily reliant on US LNG, American weather is increasingly driving UK and European energy costs. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
111
Reposted by Simon Francis
Climate Centre @climatecentreuk.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
“The Warm Homes Plan is almost a rescue mission for those living in cold, damp homes,” says @sifrancis.bsky.social End Fuel Poverty Coalition coordinator. “It could ease health impacts, cut NHS pressure, and benefit those who need it most.” on @bbc5live.bsky.social
053
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
A muted budget… let’s just hope govt is saving bigger things for the election. But then life in cold, damp homes and rising energy debt won’t pause for an election, and neither should action.
000
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
See more in the @the-independent.com www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
independent.co.uk
Carbon monoxide – the hidden ‘killer’ of the fuel poverty crisis
Exclusive: Households living in cold and damp homes are twice as likely to report experiencing dangerous levels of carbon monoxide
000
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
New research shows millions of people are still living in cold, damp homes, five years into the energy bills crisis. People with existing health conditions are most exposed, with a quarter reporting cold, damp housing. #EndFuelPoverty #WarmHomesPlan #ColdDampHomes #EnergyCrisis [1/3]
11812
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Today’s Budget will bring a small reduction in bills, with the average annual energy bill expected to fall from £1,755 to around £1,665 from April 2026. #EndFuelPoverty #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay #Budget2025 [1/4]
133
Reposted by Simon Francis
Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
"Most Reform UK voters don’t object to green policies, so who is its climate crisis denialism designed to serve?"
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
Why Reform UK hates net zero … follow the money!
Most Reform UK voters don’t object to green policies, so who is its climate crisis denialism designed to serve?
16329136
Reposted by Simon Francis
End Fuel Poverty Coalition @endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Reports suggest the Government is considering slashing the Warm Homes Plan by £6.4 billion, at the same time as looking at a £6 billion tax cut for oil and gas firms. #EndFuelPoverty #EnergyEfficiency #Budget2025 #WarmHomes [1/4]
101
Simon Francis @sifrancis.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Watching the whole interview, what struck me was how Kuenssberg wouldn’t look @zackpolanski.bsky.social in the eye. Strange.
010