Martin Lewis warns people will die choosing between heating and eating as energy bills rocket
MARTIN Lewis has warned that people will die when forced to choose between heating their homes and eating as energy bills rocket.
The Money Saving Expert founder called for government action on the cost of gas and electricity, which is set to soar even higher this year.
The energy price cap - which currently stands at £1,277 per year per household -limits how much providers can charge on default energy bills so Brits aren't ripped off.
But it will likely be raised twice next year to keep up with record market prices and the cost of supplier failures.
Martin told the BBC : “We are going to have to put money into the system or we are going to have an absolute poverty crisis, with people being unable to eat or dying because of the cold.”
A report published this morning shows that rising energy bills will "devastate" the UK's poorest families including single parents and those on low-incomes.
The worrying research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation claims that families may have to spend as much as 54% of their income on energy bills as the cost of living crisis continues.
Meanwhile, separate research published yesterday showed that number of families in fuel poverty will soar by 200% when the energy price cap goes up in April.
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Martin called for the 5% VAT on energy costs to be axed as well as a new version of the price cap for vulnerable households, reported.
He also said the £140 Warm Home Discount should be expanded to include Universal Credit claimants.
Universal Credit and benefits claimants could get up to £800 to help with bills through the Household Support Fund.
A number of postcodes may also be eligible for Cold Weather Payments as the temperatures drop.