Concerns families in Bucks facing fuel poverty could triple to 45,000
It's after the announcement that energy prices will rise by an average of nearly £700
There are concerns the number of households in Buckinghamshire facing fuel poverty could triple to 45,000, when energy prices increase in April.
The average bill across the UK will go up by almost £700, after a rise in the energy price cap.
Heart of Bucks, a community foundation helping people in Buckinghamshire to pay bills, has told Greatest Hits Radio there are a number of things people can do if they're struggling, although none of them are "magic bullet."
The organisation's ambassador for environment says the most important thing to do is to contact your energy provider, letting them know you're struggling. After that, he recommends behavioural changes, such as using low energy light bulbs.
Dan Cope said: "The costs are being seen elsewhere in day-to-day spending. Not only that, if course the costs have gone up for businesses, so in turn, those costs are going to get passed onto the residents as well, so it's kind of double-whammy when April comes around.
There's a Government-backed discount for customers, but it has to be paid back. Dan added: "That reduction is just being passed to future years so this effectively is kicking the can down the road.
"That is fine if energy prices reduce, but we know from experience that that's probably not going to happen."