A campaign group is calling for action against rising energy bills after the price cap is set to increase to a record breaking amount.
'Don't Pay UK' is urging bills payers to stop paying energy bill if the Government doesn't intervene further by October 1. Already, there are cost of living payments and energy discounts being applied but experts warn this will not be enough as thousands are expected to fall into fuel poverty.
This comes as inflation is forecasted to hit 13 per cent in a matter of months - it's currently sitting at 9.4 per cent, the highest it's been in 40 years.
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Now after the energy crisis first hit the UK back in September 2021, the Russia-Ukraine crisis has put extra pressure on the wholesale price of gas and it will reflect in our monthly bills. Energy regulator Ofgem warns households face a “very challenging winter ahead”.
To provide stability, Ofgem have now announced the price of energy will change every three months, rather than six to reflect the fluid and unpredictable situation as the conflict in eastern Europe continues. By doing this, the regulator hopes this will avoid any nasty surprises for customers' bills.
Cornwall Insight, one of the country’s most respected energy consultancies, said bills will hit a staggering £3,359 per year from October for the average household and then rise again to £3,615. However, some experts warn it could go higher, as much as £3,994 in January, according to Energy consultancy Auxilione.
In the wake of this news, the rising cost of living is taking a toll on millions of Brits, and Don't Pay UK is aiming to get one million households to pledge to not pay their bills in an attempt to force energy companies to reduce bills. It was reported earlier this week at BP's profits tippled to £7 billion as oil and gas prices surge.
The same tactic, to what the campaign is suggesting, was brought into action in the late 1980s and '90s to fight against the poll tax brought in by PM Margaret Thatcher. In protest, 17 million people refused to pay.
Don't Pay UK argued that even a fraction of the million they want to stop paying their bills, then it would still be enough for companies to head to the negotiating table.
Warning of energy bill strikes financial guru Martin Lewis said: "I think I can categorise it more accurately now, the big movement that I am seeing is an increase of growth in people calling for a non-payment of energy bills, mass non-payment. Effectively a consumer strike on energy bills and getting rid of the legitimacy of paying that.
"We are getting close to a Poll Tax moment on energy bills coming into October and we need the Government to get a handle on that, because once it starts becoming socially acceptable not to pay energy bills people will stop paying energy bills and you’re not going to cut everyone off."
To see what's happening with Don't Pay UK, you can visit their website here.
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