Many families are already struggling to pay utility bills, and millions more will be unable to cope with the price rises that gas companies have introduced this summer, according to a recent survey.
The YouGov report found that over a third of all households – 39 per cent – said they were unable to afford paying a penny extra on their gas and electricity bills.
Worryingly, this was conducted last month, before British Gas brought its inflation busting 35 per cent price rise in to play, and EDF increased its customers’ bills by 20 per cent.
The equivalent of 8 million households said they were finding it very or fairly difficult already to pay their energy bills.
Energy experts predict that the four other major suppliers – Scottish Power, e.on, nPower and Scottish & Southern – will follow suit in the coming weeks, taking the average annual bill to well above £1,200 per year.
An estimated 6 million people are expected to be living in “fuel poverty” by the end of the year, meaning they will be paying 10 per cent or more of their household income towards energy bills.
Ann Robinson, from energy switching site uSwitch, says: “The second wave of energy price rises has put the final nail in the coffin for affordable energy. News of the Government’s much speculated £150 one-off rebate for families receiving child benefit will provide respite for some households, but for others, it will be a drop in the ocean.
“The meteoric rise in the cost of living is affecting virtually every household and age group – it is leaving a hole in our pockets that pay rises alone cannot fill.”
Chiltern’s Nathan Gladwell says: “There’s never been a better time to make sure your energy bills are as low as they can be.
“Price plans vary depending on usage, suppliers and location, so it can be difficult to know which company is the best for you unless you can view them all together.
“By going to www.chiltern.uk.com/energy you can see all of the available tariffs for your exact postcode, from every supplier, and simply switch to the best available rate. This could save hundreds off your annual bill and help you avoid fuel poverty.”