46% rise in households seeking help with fuel bills

The number of people seeking help with their energy fuel bills has already risen by 46%, according to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). Those in work, but on low incomes, appear to have been particularly hit hard by high gas and electricity prices.

"We are already seeing large increases in the number of people in fuel debt and it is not yet winter," said David Harker, chief executive of CAB. "Recent government increases in Warm Front Grants and Cold Weather Payments will go someway towards helping but information on what help is available, targeted to those who are most vulnerable, must be a prime focus for the government and energy companies," Harker added.

Fuel bill increases

With average fuel bills skyrocketing in recent years, the number of people in fuel poverty has also risen sharply: the number of English households in fuel poverty rose from just 1.2 million in 2004 to 4 million in 2008.

Fuel poverty is commonly defined as households spending more than 10% of their income on keeping their homes heated.

Already, an average household now pays £1,247 a year for gas and electricity, and industry regulator OFGEM has warned that energy bills could rise even further. According to OFGEM, gas and electricity bills could rise by and additional 60% to over £2,000 a year by 2016.

In consequence, 5 million households, or about 10 million people, could shortly face fuel poverty, as winter approaches. According to Fuel Poverty Action Group, a government-sponsored advisory committee, half of these are likely to be pensioners.

More than ever, therefore, it is vital for consumers to check for cheaper energy deals, which are typically found online. By comparing gas and electricity tariffs on SuperSwitcher, consumers can rest assured that they are getting an accurate, timely and comprehensive overview of all UK tariffs and suppliers.

With SuperSwitcher's free account management tool, comparisons become even easier: users can see with a single 'click' whether a better deal is available. We therefore recommend that you should compare gas and electricity tariffs on SuperSwitcher today.