Drive to help people in energy debt

16/11/11

By Emma McFarnon

Householders who find themselves falling behind with their energy bills are to be given a helping hand thanks to a new campaign.

Consumer Focus and Citizens Advice have joined forces to give people tips on what to do if their bills pile up. The move comes amid fears that soaring energy prices will see vulnerable people sink into debt.

According to campaigners, the number of people with new electricity debts has soared by more than a quarter, and by a fifth for gas. They claim figures show more than 850,000 electricity customers, and gas customers in excess of 700,000 are in debt to their energy supplier.

A statement from campaigners said: "Consumer Focus and Citizens Advice believe that average energy price increases of 14 per cent this autumn could push even more vulnerable households over the edge into debt.

"Last year 100,000 people came to Citizens Advice for help with their fuel bills and this year, in October alone, over 12,500 people sought online advice on cutting their fuel bills from the Citizens Advice website."

The Plug the Debt campaign is backed by other bodies such as Ofgem and Age UK.