« Daily Debt Tips Home
Energy bills 36% more expensive, finds research
Thursday, March 19th, 2009The average energy bill in January 2009 was 36 per cent higher compared to the same month a year earlier, research from uSwitch.com has revealed.
According to the comparison website, despite the price of utility bills increasing by 42 per cent last year, recent reductions by energy providers will only lower bills by an average of £56 in 2009.
The website urged consumers to make their bills more manageable by switching provider or moving to an online energy deal, advice which may be useful to those drawing up a debt management plan.
Director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com Ann Robinson warned that energy prices could rise again towards the end of the year.
"To cash strapped consumers this 4.3 per cent or £56 dip in energy prices will seem like a drop in the ocean, especially when compared with last year’s 42 per cent or £381 price hike," she remarked.
These findings follow a poll by Consumer Focus that revealed 44 per cent of Britons have cut down on essentials in order to afford their winter utility bills.
By Rosie Park
