A third of care homes in England have considered closing due to rising energy bills

Care England, the largest representative body for care providers in England, warned the energy regulator that care home heating bills have soared by 500%. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

A third of care homes across England have considered closing during the past year because of “financially crippling” running costs, as concerns rise that gas suppliers are profiteering at the expense of small businesses.

The energy regulator, Ofgem, has admitted that some suppliers may be charging small companies rates that cannot be justified by falling gas market prices.