Struggling families have been warned not to heed advice given on social media if they can't afford to pay their energy bills. Experts are cautioning the well-meaning tips on Facebook and Twitter discussion pages devoted to budgeting could plunge people into a winter of misery.
Charities are advising people instead to challenge their energy companies if they think the amount they have been asked to pay is too high or if they find they can't afford to pay the bills.
The suggestions started to gain traction largely due to pressure group Don’t Pay UK 's campaign, when supporters were encouraged to cancel their energy direct debit on October 1 to protest high charges that kicked in on that day due to the increase in the energy price cap. The group did not reach the required volume of supporters in time, but have pledged to restart their 'bills strike' when their supporters reach one million people.
