Energy price rises putting pressure on household heating

21/11/2011

The number of people who have energy debts has increased by a quarter for electricity and a fifth for gas, according to figures from spring 2011.

Energy Minister Charles Hendry said: “Recent energy price rises in combination with other rising costs mean many household budgets are under huge pressure.”

The Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, Mike O’Connor, told the BBC, “A toxic cocktail of higher energy prices, rising bills for other essentials and falling incomes could push more people into debt with their energy company this winter.”

Charles Hendry continued: “Recent energy price rises in combination with other rising costs mean that many household budgets are under huge pressure, so it’s more important than ever that consumers who are at risk of falling behind on their bills know what their rights are and what help is available.”

In 2010, there were 100,000 people who turned to Citizen’s Advice for help in tackling their fuel bills. This year, however, 12,500 people sought online advice just during the month of October.

One in six people is planning to heat half the rooms in their house or less, whilst one in 20 people will be heating only one or two rooms in their house, increasing to one in ten in the poorest social group.

Tags; Current UK Economy, Housing Debt and Bills, Income Worries and Debt,

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