More households will enter fuel poverty

The squeezed middle are already struggling to make ends meet, with some turning to payday loans, but the situation could get worse as energy bills rise, it has been claimed.

Maria Wardrobe, director of external affairs at National Energy Action, said that the number of people in fuel poverty in Britain could increase by 1.2 million households in the next 12 months, to stand at 6.6 million in total.

Fuel poverty means that a household spends at least ten per cent of its total income on heating.

She suggested that the best way to lower bills is to take steps to make a home more energy efficient.

The current UK housing stock is very poor for retaining heat, with much lost through roofs, cavity walls, floors and around doors and windows, she added.

"Insulating cavity walls and loft spaces, placing carpets down rather than wooden floors, adding draught excluders to doors and fitting double glazing will all help lower energy use, mitigating the price rises," Ms Wardrobe said.

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2011-08-10 16:47:13 © Moneyextra.com