Coventry charity fears people will be forced to turn heating and hot water off this winter
A survey found those who said they will need to take drastic action increased to 31% for households with children
Last updated 21st Aug 2024
A money advice charity in Coventry is seeing a huge spike in the number of people asking for help with household energy bills.
It’s as new research by Citizens Advice suggests up to a quarter of the UK population believe they could be forced to turn off their heating and hot water this winter due to soaring costs.
The proportion who said they will need to take such drastic action increased to 31% for households with children and 39% for people on a low income, a survey by Citizens Advice found.
The charity, which is still supporting record numbers of people with energy debt despite lower costs in the summer months, said households will continue to face impossible choices and drastic cutbacks to be able to heat their homes without urgent Government intervention.
Overall, the survey found that 48% of respondents said they would have to turn down or turn off their heating or water if the energy price cap rises by the 9% predicted by experts.
Jonathan Perry is the Chief Executive at Coventry Citizens Advice.
He said: “We've seen a huge spike in people asking for help with their energy bills. We were given an advance warning that the recent drop in prices was going to be temporary. We knew the increase in energy bills was going to be bigger than the drop come autumn. So, we were anticipating it, and we have been doing our best to provide residents of Coventry with energy efficiency advice.
“We've been delivering lots of events in the community to inform people about those energy efficiency measures. I'm not sure it entirely sinks in with people at this time of year, when we're talking about draught exclusion and setting the thermometer on your radiators. But we're pushing the message out there.
“Also, we're giving out draught exclusion tape, radiator reflectors, and temperature gauges to help people with their energy efficiency. The number of people coming for support and advice to Coventry Citizens Advice about their utilities bills continues to grow. It's in the top three issues that people come to us with a problem.
“You don't have to be on the lowest of incomes to have trouble paying for what people regard as essentials.”
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said:
"Fixing the broken energy system by investing in clean power is at the heart of our mission to protect families against price shocks and make Britain more energy independent.
"We will also support households to cut their bills and reduce fuel poverty through the £150 Warm Home Discount and the Warm Homes Plan - upgrading millions of homes this Parliament."