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1 million more people face fuel poverty
Statistics released yesterday show that 3.5 million households were in fuel poverty in 2006 - an increase of 1 million on 2005.
Together against poverty
But the number of people in fuel poverty - spending more than 10 per cent of their income on power bills - is now much higher. Figures gathered by campaign groups show that since 2006 it has increased by another 2 million, to around 5.5 million.
Annual household power bills have risen by around £400 in the past year due to a rise of 50 per cent on gas tariffs and 33 per cent on electricity. And more rises are on the way.
The director general of Age Concern, Gordon Lishman, said: "Inflation-busting energy price hikes in recent months mean that around 5.5million households - including one in three pensioner households - are likely to be facing fuel poverty this winter.
"It is hugely worrying that so many pensioners and low-income families are feeling forced to cut back on essential food and fuel because they're so anxious about paying their bills.
"Measures to improve energy efficiency alone are not going to solve the long-term problem of fuel poverty."
