Overview

• New Ofgem figures show household energy debt rising from £1.45 billion at the end of 2020 to £3.69 billion in Q2 last year and £4.43 billion now.
• A total of 1,133,683 electricity customers and 926,545 gas customers are in debt without any repayment arrangements in place.
• The regulator says the mounting arrears could add about £145 to the average household’s annual bill.
• The government says it will widen the Warm Home Discount to more than six million households this winter.
• Campaigners call for arrears write-offs and a national energy social tariff, citing worsening hardship among older and low-income households.