Debt help could assist Brits struggling with energy bills
Debt help could assist Brits struggling with energy bills
- Tuesday, 23 March 2010Debt advice could help the huge numbers of Brits who last winter rationed or cut down on their energy use as a result of the expense.
Research conducted by uSwitch found that more than one in ten consumers regularly went without heating because of concerns about energy bills, while 37 per cent did so occasionally.
As many as 13 million households could therefore have gone without heating last winter.
Increasing numbers of people are indebted to their energy providers and, despite the cutbacks being made, almost one fifth are worried about their next energy bill.
Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch, said that these figures did not reflect a drive towards energy efficiency but, rather, concern about mounting costs.
"The reality this winter is that many households were forced into a self-imposed 'ice age' with people cutting down or rationing their heating due to concerns about cost," she said.
"It raises a huge question mark over the ongoing affordability of energy in Britain," she added.
Consumers already struggling with debt could well be the worst affected.
Debt management advice could help them to free up enough cash to improve their basic standard of living.

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