Prospect of fuel bill hike will terrify households

Citizens Advice responds to today’s news that fuel bills could go up because of gas shortages on the back of the unusually cold weather.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive at national charity Citizens Advice said:

“The prospect of further fuel bill hikes will terrify households. Two thirds of the nation wished for a warmer winter this year to help them get on top of their energy bills yet the abnormally cold weather will have thrown these budgets into chaos leaving people with difficult choices to make between heating or eating.”

In 2012, Citizens Advice dealt with over 94,500 problems with fuel debt.

Anyone struggling to pay their energy bills can get help from their local CAB or go online at www.adviceguide.org.uk

What people are doing to save money on their energy bills:

  • Over half don’t have the heating on as much in order to save energy; rising to 57% among women and six in ten of 45-54 year olds.

  • More than a third are using less electricity – rising to four in ten people in Scotland.

  • Four in ten over 65s have insulated their home, compared to just 23% of 25-34 year olds.

  • Just a quarter of people have checked with their supplier to see if they are on the best deal, with 55-64 year olds proving more proactive as one third has tried to get a better deal from their supplier.

  • One in five 55-64 year olds don’t use all of the rooms in their home.

  • Just 15% of people had changed to another energy supplier – rising to one in five of 25-34 year olds.

  • 56% of people in Wales don’t have the heating on as much.

  • 41% in the North East have insulated their homes, more than any other region.

  • 30% of people in Scotland have checked with their supplier to see if they are on the best deal.

  • One in five in the East of England don’t use some of the rooms in their home.

  • 19% of people in London have changed to another energy supplier and a further one in five changed to a cheaper way to pay.

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website .

  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk . You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk

  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers

  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends

  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.