‘Postcode lottery’ for energy debts

Households in the south-east are less likely to have high energy debts, a new report has suggested.

A study from the Fair Investment Company has found that while people in Yorkshire and Humberside pay an average of £59 a month on fuel bills, those in the south-east fork out only £46.

The research showed that the amount spent on gas and electricity varies by postcode and that there is a 28 per cent difference between the highest and lowest areas.

Spokesperson John Corboy said: “It seems unfair that the same product should cost more or less depending on your postcode, especially when prices are already shooting up.”

He advised that a good form of energy debt management would be to switch suppliers if costs are too high.

Meanwhile, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has revealed that the price paid for fuel has risen by 9.8 per cent over the past year.

By Jamie Price