A new survey from Citizens Advice has revealed that nearly 25% of British households are considering turning off their heating this winter due to the overwhelming rise in energy costs. This alarming statistic highlights the severity of the ongoing energy crisis, which has left millions of UK residents grappling with impossible choices between warmth and other essentials.
The survey estimates that approximately 16.5 million people, or one in four households, may have to forego heating and hot water during the coldest months of the year. The situation is even more dire for vulnerable groups; 31% of households with children and 39% of those with lower incomes are reportedly at risk of going without basic heating this winter.
An estimated 25% of UK residents are so worried about rising energy bills they will consider turning off their heat and hot water this winter, according to a survey https://t.co/gRGCheIX2K
— Businessweek (@BW) August 21, 2024
The drastic rise in energy bills can be traced back to an 11-fold increase in UK wholesale gas prices since 2019, driven largely by the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This surge has placed an unprecedented burden on households, pushing energy costs to levels unseen in the last half-century.
The government’s measures to mitigate these soaring costs have been criticized as insufficient. Despite the implementation of price caps and some financial support packages, the relief provided pales in comparison to the staggering increase in costs.
Energy prices are forecast to rise to £1,714 a year in October.
This comes at a time when many older people are worried about how they will be able to afford to heat their homes without the Winter Fuel Payment.
Sign our petition https://t.co/vO7IhNeky2https://t.co/oWuCqsYcoo
— Age UK Campaigns (@ageukcampaigns) August 19, 2024
Citizens Advice has called for urgent reforms to the Warm Home Discount and other support mechanisms to better assist those in desperate need.
Without significant intervention, millions of households will likely fall into energy debt, exacerbating already high levels of anxiety and depression across the nation.
The crisis is forcing many to make tough decisions. Some are reducing their heating usage to dangerous levels, while others are borrowing money to cover basic utility bills. The Citizens Advice report even mentions instances of people selling non-essential appliances or spending extra time in public waiting rooms just to stay warm. This Dickensian reality is becoming all too common in the UK, a country that was once considered a bastion of economic stability.
As the winter season approaches, the pressure on the government to act decisively grows. Experts warn that without substantial, targeted support, the UK could face a humanitarian crisis this winter, with millions of people unable to afford the basic necessity of heat.
