2.4m face fuel poverty

As many as 2.4 million people are in danger of falling into fuel poverty, a new report has claimed.

According to a study commissioned by Centrica and carried out by the Eclipse consultancy firm, households across Britain could soon see their annual fuel and energy expenditure increase by as much as £1,000.

Millions of people have already seen their debt management problems made worse by a hike in gas and electricity prices and the trend is now expected to continue.

“The worst has been confirmed,” said Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com.

“If the predicted level of price hike hits home, it will plunge an extra 2.4 million into fuel poverty, taking the total from 4.5 million to an incredible 6.9 million.”

Rising costs of living were listed among the biggest hurdles in front of the UK’s credit users as they look to become debt free, the Consumer Credit Counselling Service said recently.