Hard times for energy customers

Energy watchdog warns of tough winter ahead for former users of failed firms

Consumers who are moved to a new energy firm after their supplier goes out of business stand to pay almost £30 a month more, Citizens Advice has found.

The energy watchdog warns people will face “desperate choices” this winter after finding that customers of the five largest failed suppliers are set to pay £6.70 more a week when moved on to the default tariffs of a replacement firm.

The energy price cap is due to rise by £139 for people on default tariffs and £153 for people on pre-payment meters on October 1.

As of Tuesday September 28, more than 1.5 million people had been affected by energy supplier failures.

Citizens Advice said it was particularly concerned about those on the lowest incomes who could be hit by rising energy costs, a planned cut of £20 a week to their Universal Credit and a higher cost of living due to inflation.

Those who lose their Warm Home Discount if it is not carried over when they are moved to a new supplier could be £17.40 a week worse off, it warns.

People in this situation who are also on Universal Credit stand to lose £37.40 a week if the planned cut is implemented.

Frontline advisers at the charity said they feared many would be left facing “desperate choices” due to fuel poverty this winter, including turning off their fridges and freezers, relying on hot water bottles for warmth and requesting support to buy extra duvets and blankets.

A survey by the advisory service found 35% of people are worried they will struggle to pay their energy bills this winter, rising to 45% of those earning less than £21,000 per year and 44% of households with children.

Citizens Advice is calling on the Government to reverse its planned cut to Universal Credit and introduce emergency winter grants for those on the lowest incomes.

Chief executive Clare Moriarty said: “Overnight price hikes will be a shock for more than a million households whose energy companies have gone bust.

“We’re particularly worried about those who’ll face desperate choices this winter because of the cumulative impact of soaring bills, the planned cut to Universal Credit and inflation.