Energy debt set to get worse

Residential landlords offering properties on an all-bills-included basis could be among those to notice energy debts getting worse.

National Energy Action (NEA), an organisation that campaigns against fuel poverty, has claimed that that the situation is going to get worse before it improves.

The comments follow the publication of a report from consumer advice service uSwitch.com, which revealed that 5.5 million Britons are in debt with their energy supplier.

According to the study, the figure can be attributed to the effects of the cold winter weather and average price increases of 16 per cent over the last two years.

Ron Campbell, head of campaigns, policy, information and research for NEA, said: "More than five million households in the UK are currently in fuel poverty and the situation may worsen as we expect to see higher gas and electricity bills in the future.

"But it is crucial that people do not turn their heating down or off during periods of cold weather. If people are faced with bills that they can't pay it is important to contact their energy supplier immediately to discuss payment options."

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