Energy bill price hike takes effect as record numbers struggle with debt

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Without additional support, it will be anything but a happy new year for people trapped in Britain’s broken energy system Fiona Waters, Warm This Winter It comes as Citizens Advice said it was helping record numbers of households with energy debt and seeing more people than ever who could not afford to top up their prepayment meter. This means the UK Government needs to take much more action to help people stay warm this winter and every winter through increased support for home insulation and cheaper renewable energy.” Warm This Winter spokeswoman Fiona Waters said: “Without additional support, it will be anything but a happy new year for people trapped in Britain’s broken energy system. “Failure to avert this cold homes crisis will lead to pressure on the NHS, a mental health catastrophe and additional winter deaths caused by living in cold, damp homes.” However, in a glimmer of hope for households, latest forecasts suggest the energy bills for the typical household will fall to £1,660 from the start of April, reflecting international gas prices dropping in recent weeks, and then to £1,590 from July before rising slightly to £1,640 from October next year. To achieve substantial reductions below pre-crisis levels, we must focus on long-term strategies which increase domestic renewable energy sources and reduce our reliance on volatile imports Dr Craig Lowrey, Cornwall Insight Dr Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: “Current forecasts of price cap dips later in the year may offer a small light at the end of the tunnel.