harities have warned that high energy prices will hurt children’s development this winter, after a survey found that a quarter of parents have already cut back on the amount of food they buy.
About 24% of parents buy less food since the beginning of the year to afford basic necessities, 28% have cut back on food quality and 13% have eaten cold meals or meals that do not require cooking for money to save on energy bills, the poll of more than 4,000 UK households by youGov for the charity National Energy Action (NEA) and the Food Foundation.
Average household energy bill will rise from £1,971 to a frozen £2,500 from 1 October under the energy price guarantee announced by Prime Minister Liz Truss earlier this month.
Overall, household bills will be 96% higher than last year.
NEA said the number of UK households in fuel poverty will have risen from 4.5 million in October last year to 6.7 million now.
The government’s plan only limits the per-unit costs that households pay, with the actual bills still being determined by how much energy is consumed.
The survey also finds that 67% of parents are concerned that energy prices will mean they have less money to buy food for their households, while 51% are concerned about the coming winter and its impact on the health of their children. their family.
NEA chief executive Adam Scorer said:People had to choose between heating and eating.
“This winter, millions don’t even have that choice.
“The most vulnerable, including children, will be cold and hungry as energy prices rise, despite… Government support.
“The impact on health and wellbeing is devastating and will only get worse after Saturday’s price hikes.
“It is a public health emergency.
“More targeted and sustainable support, such as a social energy tariff, is crucial if the most vulnerable are to get through the winter warm and nourished.”
The findings come as Citizens Advice warned that nearly half a million households could be forced into more expensive prepayment meters by the end of the year as they have fallen into debt.
Current rules allow utility companies to push a household on a prepayment meter when they can’t pay their bills, meaning they have to top up in advance, can’t spread the winter’s costs over the year and pay higher rates.
The advisory service predicts that households with prepayment meters could spend £258 more on their energy this winter than someone paying by direct debit.
Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said: “Energy companies have a duty to protect customers, but forcibly moving people in debt to prepayment meters is closing a back door.
“Even with the bill freezing, energy costs will still be at an all-time high. If people can’t afford to refuel, they run a real risk of the heating going out and the lights going out.
“The government should introduce a winter ban to prevent energy companies from forcing people who are already struggling with prepayment meters. It should also provide targeted support to help people on the lowest incomes pay their bills.”