Some Rutland residents may have to choose between heating and eating, charity warns
Energy prices rising could see families pay up to £693 more a year
Last updated 3rd Feb 2022
Some households in Rutland may have to choose between properly heating their homes and buying food, Citizens Advice Rutland has warned.
It comes as energy regulator Ofgem announced that energy prices will rise from April 1st, which could cost an average family up to £693 more per year.
The 54% rise could bring the average annual energy bill up to £2,000 a year for around 22 million households across Great Britain.
Duncan Furey, Chief Executive at Citizens Advice Rutland, says the price jump will put some in the county in a difficult position:
"For those Rutland residents living on low or fixed incomes, this is going to cause real financial hardships, and is going to cause some individuals and some families to choose between heating their house and eating."
He said there are means of support available to those that may be hit hardest, and that Citizens Advice Rutland are available to help:
"Contact us if your energy supplier has ceased to trade, contact us if you're having difficulty paying your bills, give us a call if you're worried about getting into debt, or give us a call if you want help making your home more efficient".
"The advice team can help those of you who are worried about fuel poverty, and if your concerns fall outside of citizens advice remit, we will signpost you on to other specialist organisations who can help".
Contact Citizens Advice Rutland on 01572 723 494 or visit their website for support: https://www.rutlandcab.org.uk/index.shtml