Rising energy costs to hit those who never recovered from the last crisis as 4.6 million worry about affording bills
Citizens Advice says it’s concerned bill rises this year will hit households who still haven't recovered from the last energy crisis.
The charity is already helping someone with crisis support every 30 seconds - around three times the 2019 rate. Its latest research shows household budgets are already at breaking point.
Citizens Advice looked at household budgets now and at the start of 2022 - before the last energy crisis. It found average total debt among the people Citizens Advice helps for the issue has risen 63% in four years - from under £6,000 to over £9,500 - and is still climbing. The research also showed:
One in eight households are behind on their water bill, an increase of nearly 50 percent (49%) from 2022, or 1.2 million extra households.
One in twelve people are behind on their credit card payments, a massive seventy-five percent jump from 2022.
Fifteen percent of households are behind on their energy bills (4.35 million households) - a 70% increase from January 2022.
And one in ten are behind on rent, a forty-four percent increase since 2022.
With 4.6 million households already worried about affording their energy bills, and the Bank of England projecting inflation could rise to over 6% early next year, Citizens Advice is calling for clear action to protect households at most risk.
This includes making sure the Crisis and Resilience Fund can meet demand and deliver support quickly, with additional help through the benefit system ready if needed. The charity is also calling on the Government and Ofgem to urgently deliver the long-delayed energy Debt Relief Scheme, which is leaving families exposed ahead of rising inflation. By this winter, Citizens Advice wants to see the Warm Home Discount reformed to better target those who need it most, and more policy costs moved off electricity bills and into general taxation.
The charity is also providing advice on measures that households can take in advance of this winter. Lynette Williams, Senior Energy Expert at Citizens Advice says that preparing early for autumn/winter can help save money:
Switch to Direct Debit. If you're currently paying when you get your energy bill, Direct Debit spreads your costs evenly across the year - and it's usually the cheapest way to pay.
Build up credit on your prepayment meter now. Keep topping up little by little through the warmer months, even when you're not using heating. Don't forget your standing charge either. It's a daily fee that keeps running even in summer, and it can catch you out when you want to turn the heating back on.
Turn down your boiler's flow temperature. It's likely set higher than it needs to be. Lowering it is one of the simplest ways to cut your energy use. Check your boiler settings or visit the Citizens Advice website for guidance.
Draught-proof your home. Blocking gaps and cracks stops warm air escaping and it's often one of the cheapest ways to keep heat in. Focus on doors, windows and any obvious gaps in floors or skirting boards. You may be able to get help with the cost of improvements. Visit the Citizens Advice website to find out what support is available.
Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:
“The difference between now and the last time households were hit by spiralling prices is debts are higher, more people are already behind on bills, and too many households simply cannot make ends meet each month.
"We already help someone every 30 seconds with crisis support, and further bill rises could increase the pressure for many households. There are steps people should take over the next few months to prepare - but the government must also bring in targeted help for those who need it most.
“Without this, another wave of the cost-of-living crisis will wash away households already on the brink. There is still time to act - but those struggling need a lifeline now.”
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Notes to editors:
Survey data used in this press release is based on the Citizens Advice Cost Of Living Tracker Survey. Since April 2020, we have conducted a series of surveys on living standards, covering essential costs like utilities, housing, debt, food and other elements. Walnut (part of Accenture Song) the most recent survey on behalf of Citizens Advice between March 9 and 22, 2026, surveying a representative sample of 5,559 people. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (18+). We also included boosts for certain groups, including: people on Universal Credit, People of Colour, Personal Independence Payment recipients, Social and Private Renters, and for specific regions. We compared the data with results from a survey conducted by Walnut (part of Accenture Song) in 2022 which asked the same (or similar) questions. Field dates were between January 6 and January 24, 2022. The survey interviewed a nationally representative sample of 6,000 UK adults. Household figures were scaled up based on the average number of households as estimated by the ONS.
So far this year the charity has helped over 75,000 people with crisis support including foodbank referrals and charitable grants - around three times the 2019 rate. You can see a visualisation of this statistic here.
The UK government moved 75% of the Renewable Obligation scheme to general taxation from 1 April 2026. Citizens Advice supports the government moving the remaining 25% of this scheme into general taxation, as well as the Feed-in Tariff.
Citizens Advice is made up of the national charity Citizens Advice; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service.
Our network of charities offers impartial advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free.
Citizens Advice helped 2.71 million people face to face, over the phone, by email and webchat in 2024-25. And we had 44 million visits to our website. For full service statistics see our monthly publication Advice trends.
Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 19,500 trained volunteers, working at over 1,900 locations across England and Wales.
Citizens Advice is the statutory consumer advocate for energy and postal markets. We provide supplier performance information to consumers and policy analysis to decision makers.
You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 for Welsh language speakers.