Households face ‘heating or eating’ decisions

More than 3.4 million UK households are in fuel poverty, with 1.6 million saying they will have to choose between eating and heating this winter.

Over a third are worried about paying their energy bills this winter, while 4.6m households say they will not turn the heating on even if it is cold, according to the study from uswitch. com ahead of Fuel Poverty Awareness Day on Friday.

Richard Neudegg, head of regulation at uswitch. com, said: “It is a terrifying prospect to have to choose between putting your heating on this winter or feeding yourself and your family.

“Fuel Poverty Awareness Day is crucially important in the fight to help those who can’t afford to keep their homes warm enough. Help is available and people shouldn’t feel like they need to suffer in silence.”