More than 8 million households – one in three in the UK – are predicted to be in fuel poverty following October’s price cap increase, National Energy Action (NEA) has warned.
The charity, which has also taken into account the forthcoming £400 energy bill rebate, calculates fuel poverty as homes spending more than 10% of their total income on energy.
NEA cited figures from Cornwall Insight which forecast that the price cap will rise to £3,245 per year – an increase of more than 60% on the current level of £1,971.
If that happens, NEA predicted that 8.2 million households will be in fuel poverty this winter, which is an increase of 82% from the 4.5 million households fuel poverty in October 2021 when the cap was set at £1,277.
The charity’s chief executive, Adam Scorer, said: “Current financial support will be inadequate as much of that money will be spent before winter kicks in. We are facing the bleakest of winters.
“Energy bills are already unaffordable for millions, and millions more are set to suffer. People will be forced into impossible situations. Choosing between heating and eating, forced into spiralling debt and putting their emotional and physical health at significant risk.
“The energy crisis is the urgent priority for a new prime minister. Higher prices and cold weather are inevitable. Dither and delay are not.”