A quarter of households 'are in fuel poverty'

New research has revealed that 6.3 million households, equivalent to a quarter, are in fuel poverty and are struggling to pay their bills.

Property owners seeking best loan rates were told that single working parents are the most likely group, with 39 per cent being fuel poor.

Figures from uSwitch.com showed that 36 per cent of working class households are fuel poor, along with 15 per cent of the middle class.

Those households with an income of £30,000 a year are also struggling with their bills, according to the company.

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: "Rocketing energy prices mean that the middle classes are no longer immune to social ills such as fuel poverty. The fact is that we can now find the fuel poor amongst all walks of life and in all types of households."

She added that factoring in housing costs such as mortgage and rental payments makes the picture even grimmer.

Recently, it was reported by the Evening Standard that British Gas could put energy bills up by 20 per cent within the next few days.

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2011-07-06 13:38:44 © Moneyextra.com