Industry officials have expressed concern over how the many people in debt in the UK will be affected by increased energy bills, which will have a huge impact on consumer budgets during the cold weather. With temperatures already having plunged to sub-zero temperatures many households are now relying on their electric and gas heating, but many may be putting themselves in danger by being too nervous to use their heating due to costs.

Officials have said that by increasing energy prices by unnecessary levels energy firms are making peoples’ lives a misery. Those that are worried about the amount that it will cost to heat their homes are in danger of making themselves ill by living in temperatures that are too low. However, those that do use their heating could end up with huge bills that will plunge them even further into debt.

A number of reports have slated energy firms for bumping up the cost of energy usage in the run up to the cold weather, despite the fact that they are enjoying huge profits. It is claimed that whilst wholesale energy prices may have increased for providers the level of increase that they have applied to consumers is way higher than the increases that they themselves face.

Energy providers in the meantime have tried to justify the increases in energy prices by saying that although they have come at a bad time they, as providers, are also having to pay more money.

One industry official said: “After a two year lull, household energy prices are about to resume their steady climb upwards again. Unfortunately for consumers, the 8% or £99 reduction seen over the last two years failed miserably to reverse the impact of the 42% or £381 increase seen in 2008. And now, whatever small benefit was seen is about to be wiped back out again.”