Energy debt at 8-year high

Households in the UK now owe at a total of £780m to energy suppliers.

According to uSwitch, that’s the highest that energy debt has been in eight years - and means the average household now owes their supplier £223.

Why is energy debt surging?

The reasons why people are struggling to keep up with their energy bills will vary from one household to another.

But uSwitch has identified several common factors contributing to the problem, such as:

• underpaying for energy during the summer
• being on a standard variable tariff so paying different prices throughout the year
• less government support this year

Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, described the figures as “deeply concerning”.

“The cost-of-living squeeze and the end of many government support schemes means that households are getting less help than they used to, causing many to fall behind,” he commented.

“If your energy account is going into debt, or you are behind on your bill payments, speak to your supplier as soon as possible." 

What can I do if I’m struggling with my bills?

If you’re finding it hard to keep up with your bills:

Contact your supplier

Your energy supplier might be able to offer:

• grants
• payment plans
• advice on managing your account
• emergency credit if you’re on a prepayment meter

It could also be worth joining the Priority Services Register for extra support.

Apply for the household support fund 

You may be able to get extra help with energy costs and food through your local council via the household support fund (HSF).

Find out what other benefits you could claim

You might already be eligible for support such as the warm home discount or winter fuel payments.

But it’s still worth seeing what other help is available, such as:

• housing benefit
• council tax discount
• free TV licence if over 75 

Try our free benefits calculator to find out if you’re getting all the support you’re entitled to receive. 

Or give us a call and we’ll have a look for you.

Try to save energy

Small steps such as turning down your thermostat by one degree, not overfilling the kettle and bleeding your radiators could help you cut your energy usage - and in turn, bring your bills down.

We’ve put together a list of 50 smart energy-saving tips to help you get started.