Financial expert warns of rising energy costs and financial burdens for consumers in Bremen

Financial expert warns of rising energy costs and financial burdens for consumers in Bremen

According to a report by www.weser-kurier.de,

Rising gas prices, rising electricity prices and increasing inflation have led to a major financial test for consumers in 2023. The Bremen consumer advice center recorded 35,599 requests from people seeking advice, which represents an increase of a good eleven percent compared to the previous year. Questions about consumer law and topics relating to “construction and energy” were asked particularly frequently. Rising energy costs posed a major challenge. Consumers became increasingly interested in topics such as the effects of the Building Energy Act, balcony power plants and heat pumps.

Last year, the Bremen consumer advice center took various measures to support consumers, including the information campaign “Dealing with the consequences of the war in Ukraine – gas shortage, energy price crisis, etc.” However, these measures are at risk due to a lack of funding. The CDU criticizes the lack of financing commitments and points out that important projects are not secured. The Bremen consumer advice center warns of a financing gap and expects an additional financial burden of around 100,000 euros due to wage increases in the federal states' collective agreement by 2025.

This funding gap could have a long-term impact on the advisory services and consumer protection in Bremen and Bremerhaven. All parties, including those in the governing coalition, have written stable funding for consumer protection into their election manifestos, but the current funding gaps are worrying. An increase in institutional funding is necessary in order to be able to maintain the advisory services and avoid job cuts. It remains to be hoped that the financing gaps will be closed soon to ensure consumer protection in Bremen and Bremerhaven.