North Shields charity say they're concerned about energy price cap rise
Ofgem energy price cap will rise by 10% in England, Scotland and Wales.
A North Shields community development charity say they are expecting more people to be needing support this winter.
From today, gas and electric bills will rise by 10% for the average household due to the Ofgem energy price cap increase.
Wayne Dobson, Cedarwood Trust CEO, said: "This 10% increase is going to cause significant harm in the way that they support their lives basically, and whether that's a choice between putting electricity on, putting monitors on.
"As one lady explained to me, that £30 extra that she's now going to have to find is equivalent to their weekly shopping. So, where's that weekly shopping going to come from if that's going to be added to the energy bill?
"The big concern is that this is so close to winter and people want to do the best for their children, and it's certainly going to lead to a significant rise in people reaching out to the likes of Cedarwood Trust and other charities for support and help. Not only around presents for their children, but also around that festive food.
"We're going to see people falling more into debt. People are telling me that they're going to have to go into debt with the energy and gas companies because there's no way that they can afford this energy.
"In real terms, it may be a 10% increase, but it’s that knock-on effect on the cost of living increase that might multiply up to 20%, 30%, 40% that people are going to have to find because of those additional costs."
The Government says there is a range of support available for those struggling- including 'The Warm Home Discount Scheme', which re-opens today.