Quarter of working families ‘forced to choose between energy bills and food’
Of 12 million people almost half said they have struggled to pay their energy bills at same point in the past five years
A FIFTH of working families are struggling to pay fuel bills — even before the forecast coldest winter in five years pushes them higher.
Of 12million households with a child and at least one working parent, 2.3million fear they will not be able to pay for gas and electricity without cutting back elsewhere.
More than a quarter, 26 per cent, worry they may not be able to feed and clothe their family if they turn on the heating. A similar amount say they will not be able to afford Christmas gifts.
Almost half, 46 per cent, say they have struggled to pay their energy bills at some point over the past five years.
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Almost one in ten have visited friends and family to avoid putting on their own heating while seven per cent have worn gloves and hats to bed.
The average cost of a standard variable tariff has risen from £1,064 to £1,131 this year after a round of hikes from suppliers.
Claire Osborne of uSwitch.com, which carried out the survey, said: “The quickest and easiest step most households can take is to make sure they’re not paying too much and see if there is a better energy deal on offer.”
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