Article author:
Reuters
Kate Holton and William James
LONDON — UK consumer energy debt is already at a record high, with 6 million households £206 ($249) to the average provider before the bill surged in October and January.
The UK is bracing for an 82% rise in energy prices in October, which could cost millions more unless the government launches a multi-billion pound aid package to soften the blow. could plunge into poverty, charities warn.
Energy prices rose 54% in April and energy debt is already at an all-time high, according to consumer website Uswitch. and owed providers £1.3bn, nearly triple what it was in September last year.
Almost a quarter of households have him in debt of £206, an amount he has increased by 10% in just four months.
Debt occurred at a time when households should normally build credit into their accounts to cover the more expensive winter months. According to Uwitch, 8 million households currently have no credit balance.
This figure shows the scale of the challenges facing his two candidates, who will be vying to become Britain's next Prime Minister on 5 September, and the political implications of the looming crisis. It is a process that has hindered response.
Foreign Minister Liz Truss and former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak have come under pressure in recent days to decide how to help people throughout the year ahead. help the family
Minister James Cleverley said on Wednesday that the government will bring energy company leaders together to "demand clarification" about the profits they are making. Energy producers were being audited.
"The impact on energy costs is changing and, of course, as a responsible government, we need to constantly review the situation," said Mr Cleverley, his truss supporter.
In May, the government introduced a 25% windfall tax on the profits of oil and gas producers. Since then, wholesale gas prices have more than doubled. ($1 = £0.8275)
(reported by Kate Holton and William James, edited by Elaine Hardcastle)
