A worrisome trend has worsened as winter approaches. 

Citizens Advice has issued a warning, disclosing that many households are already taking extreme measures to save money, such as unplugging refrigerators, hand-washing clothes, and skipping meals.

As of June 2023, more than two million homes were delinquent on their electricity payments, while 1.8 million were delinquent on their gas invoices, as reported by the energy regulator Ofgem. 

Both totals have increased by over a quarter in just three months

National Energy Action‘s director of policy and advocacy, Peter Smith, has expressed concern over the situation, stating, “Bills have nearly doubled in a year, and we have yet to see the complete impact of the most recent price increase. As temperatures decline and winter approaches, many individuals are reluctant to turn on the heat or even leave the lights on. If the incoming prime minister does not act promptly, we anticipate that the number of households in arrears will continue to increase in the coming year.”

This is the seventh time in the past nine months that Citizens Advice has reported a record number of customers who are unable to fill up their prepayment metres.

The number of individuals forced to convert to prepayment meters has increased significantly

The situation has prompted the government to enact measures designed to assist households with difficulty paying their energy bills. In addition to direct distributions of £1,200 to needy households, it is estimated that the government’s energy price guarantee will save the average household around £700 this winter. 

Those who are unable to pay their energy bills should contact their provider as soon as possible to establish an acceptable payment plan.

In conclusion, the rising number of households with unpaid energy bills is a worrisome trend that is anticipated to worsen in the future months. The government’s energy price guarantee and direct remittances to low-income households will provide some relief, but more must be done to address the underlying causes of the problem and prevent its escalation.