Red alert- Households face enormous pressures in build up to energy price cap rise [ 1.5 mb]
Demand for our services is at its peak since the start of the pandemic.
As inflation hits the highest point in 30 years, household budgets are already facing enormous pressure. The worst is yet to come, with Ofgem expected to announce a more than 50% increase in the energy price cap from April, just as other price rises hit households.
In January 2022 more than 270,000 people sought advice from Citizens Advice, higher than at any point since the pandemic began.
In the same month, a staggering 24,000 people helped by the charity required some type of crisis support such as food bank vouchers and charitable support. This is the highest on record for the charity, passing the previous peak only set in December 2021.
The number of people supported with energy debts hit more than 8,000, the highest on record. And debts are rising too, with the average energy debt now standing at £1,450, up from £1,330 in 2020.
Immediate action is needed to help people through this crisis. The government should: