Five million people fail to pay soaring energy bills amid cost of living crisis

13 June 2023 , 17:38

1075     0

Energy bills are soaring (Image: Getty Images)

An estimated 5.5 million people are failing to pay energy bills.

A charity warned the number behind with payments has soared by 2.1 million since March last year amid the cost of living crisis.

Research by the Money Advice Trust suggests one in 10 adults failed to pay sky-high fuel bills in April.

While support is available, 3.9 million have not been able to access help after contacting their supplier.

Since March last year, the number behind on one or more household bill has risen from 7.9 million to 11.6 million. The charity’s Under Pressure research also revealed a fifth of people on benefits such as Universal Credit have gone without food in the past three months.

Shop prices 'are yet to peak and will remain high' as inflation hits new heights

More and more households are failing to pay their bills (Getty Images)

The Money Advice Trust and other groups have written to Energy Secretary Grant Shapps calling for a “Help To Repay” scheme.

Joanna Elson, chief of the Money Advice Trust, said: “With more people falling behind on energy and essential bills and millions facing unaffordable demands for repayment, we need urgent action to make sure everyone has access to a safe route out of debt.”

Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, added the Windfall Tax on fuel giants should not end early and instead be used to help struggling households.

The Government was contacted for comment yesterday.

Graham Hiscott