Consumers 'worried about meeting energy costs'

Despite recent falls in electricity and gas prices and the relatively mild winter this year, British consumers are still concerned about being able to afford their energy bills.

A total of 85 per cent of respondents to a poll from uSwitch.com replied that they were worried about their ability to meet their costs in this area.

A 21 per cent rise in energy prices was seen at the end of last year and recent cuts by energy suppliers have only been between three and six per cent, leaving most households facing higher rates.

Almost three-quarters (72 per cent) of those questioned reported being cold at home at some point this winter and the number of people cutting back or rationing their power use because the rates they are being charged climbed to 83 per cent, seven per cent higher than last year.

Director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com Ann Robinson suggested: "If Britain isn't to carry on freezing we need a helping hand and I would now urge the Government to look at making our gas and electricity exempt from VAT."

As a result of these worries about the price of gas and electricity, households may wish to create a more energy efficient home in order to reduce their spending on heating bills.

This could include investing in an energy monitor in order to identify areas in which consumption can be reduced in order to save money.

And this may be more important than ever, as severe cold conditions across the UK are anticipated by forecasters.

The Met Office has issued a warning that a "marked change in the weather" is expected this weekend, with predictions of snow and ice for many parts of the country.

According to the organisation, the past few days have been the coldest this winter, as cold temperatures sweep across the UK from the continent and temperatures of minus 10 degrees C could be seen in some areas.

"As this front moves in from the west it will come up against cold air and we're likely to see a mixture of rain, sleet and snow across the UK," stated Met Office deputy chief forecaster Paul Gundersen.