Debt risk found in energy bills

16/02/2010

Debt help could be required by consumers who have been unaware of price rises in their energy supplies.

Currently, energy companies are given over two months to inform consumers of an increase in prices, leaving householders unaware that their bills are creeping up.

However, the delay came to light following an investigation by energy regulator Ofgem which now looks likely to result in a change in the law, forbidding such a long delay.

Joan Ruddock, energy and climate change minister, commented: "Energy price hikes are difficult at the best of times. But it is utterly unacceptable that people might not be told for up to 65 days that they are paying more for their energy."

Brits have recently been offered a boiler scrappage scheme to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce bills.

As the government reports that over 70,000 scrappage vouchers are still available, a drop in heating costs and a debt management scheme could help get housing bills back on track.

Posted by Jim Mead

Tags; Housing Debt and Bills,

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