Cold winter ‘could plunge households into debt’

Many households in the UK have been left at risk of debt due to the coldest winter in 30 years.

New research from uSwitch.com has revealed that around 5.5 million – 21 per cent of the nation – are now in debt to energy suppliers as consumers looked to heat their homes during the prolonged chilly period.

It found that one in four – 41 per cent – of those in the red have to pay back more money than they did at the same time last year.

The independent price comparison service disclosed that the total amount owed in energy bills now stands at an estimated £728 million.

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at the website, said: “The increase in energy debt this year is symptomatic of the fact that we are entering an era of high-cost energy.”

Earlier in the month, figures released by NS&I’s Savings Survey suggested that the British public had been saving less this winter than they did the year before.

By Joe Shervin