by Keith Richmond
The number of people falling behind on their fuel bill payments has soared by nearly 50 per cent in the past six months, according to Citizens Advice.
The charity says it has seen an enormous increase in the number of people falling behind with their bills – and the coldest months are still to come. The number of people with problems has soared by a staggering 46 per cent in the six months to the end of September, compared with the same period last year.
David Harker, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “We are already seeing large increases in the number of people in fuel debt and it is not yet winter. With fuel prices remaining at historically high levels, it is essential that people get all the help that is available.
“Recent government increases in warm front grants and cold weather payments will go some way towards helping, but information on what help is available, targeted to those who are most vulnerable, must be a prime focus for the government and for the energy companies.”
The charity says the figures continue the trend of recent years which has seen the number of people in fuel debt jump by 82 per cent since 2005.
It is, as ever, the poorest who are the hardest hit. Eight out of 10 people with problems have incomes half the national average.
