Rugby League stars feature in new Smart Energy GB film

Watch the new Smart Energy GB film by one of Rugby League's partners, featuring Amy Hardcastle, Alex Walmsley, and Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE - encouraging fans to talk, particularly if, like many others, they are concerned about paying an energy bill...

Trailblazing England and Leeds Rhinos star Amy Hardcastle has taken on a new role ahead of Saturday’s Mid-Season International against France in Toulouse – as an official ambassador for Rugby League’s partnership with Smart Energy GB.

Amy, who will be looking to extend her record number of 26 England tries in only her 25th appearance, is one of a number of Rugby League personalities urging fans to install smart meters to save money on their bills – and to lift the stigma around financial difficulties.

She features in a new Smart Energy GB film with St Helens enforcer Alex Walmsley, and the Leeds Rhinos legend Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE - encouraging fans to talk to others, particularly if, like many others, they are concerned about paying an energy bill.

Hardcastle said:

“One of my biggest challenges was taking time away from Rugby to have my daughter, as I had to work so hard to get back to where I wanted to be. Now I’m a mum to a thirteen-year-old, a head coach and I play for Leeds Rhinos and England, so juggling all that can be difficult.

"Having a smart meter helps me stay in control of my energy bills as I know what I’m spending day-to-day. If you’re worried about your energy bills, an important first step is to speak to your energy supplier. They could also help by installing a smart meter to help you manage the energy you use.”

More than half of Brits (52%) agree the cost-of-living crisis has helped to break down some of the stigma of financial difficulty, with more people now feeling confident to open up about money worries to people they know.

A study of 2,000 people found that 43% are now more likely to reach out for support if they are struggling with money, than before prices began to rise in 2021.

A staggering 86% of people said they still have financial worry. Topping the list of day-to-day expenses causing the most concern for Brits are energy bills (42%), emergency repairs in the home (35%) and groceries (33%).

Three in 10 (29%) said that before the crisis, they would have been likely to ‘keep their head in the sand’ when it came to financial worries. But now four in five (79%) say it is important to talk to someone and ask for help if you need it, and those who do say it has helped them feel supported (43%), less stressed (33%) and calmer (28%).

Phillippa Brown, deputy director at Smart Energy GB, said: “It’s clear that talking about worries and concerns can be a real relief and helps people overcome challenges. Our data shows that eight in 10 people agree it’s important to talk to someone if you are worried about finances, but only 10 per cent have spoken to their energy supplier about their issues paying a bill. 

“Half the respondents to our survey agree that the cost-of-living crisis has helped to break down some of the stigma around financial difficulty, so we’ve teamed up with Rugby League to encourage anyone worried about an energy bill to talk to their supplier to find out what support is available, like requesting a smart meter. Smart meters and their display units help households track how much energy they use and find simple ways to reduce it.”

If people are struggling financially, it’s important they let their energy supplier know as they may be able to help. Four in 10 (39%) people surveyed said they weren’t familiar with the ways in which suppliers can offer to help customers who need extra support.

One way they can help is by installing a smart meter at no extra cost, so households can track their energy use more easily and find simple ways to reduce it. 

What’s more, in a separate poll, 50% of respondents who track their energy use with a smart meter said that looking at their in-home display makes them feel in control. It also found that smart meter owners think they save an average of £140 per year on energy bills by using it to help with energy management.

In the new film available to view here, the England stars highlight how keeping in touch with the people around them has helped show them they weren’t alone and how to manage tough times.

It can be hard to find the right time to talk to about struggles, but for over a quarter (27%), engaging with sport has offered a space to feel more comfortable to talk about financial worry with others. Three in five (60%) of those who engaged with sport also said it has had a positive impact on their mental health.

Find out more about the support that energy suppliers can provide and about the benefits of smart meters, as well as watch the campaign video, at www.smartenergygb.org.