The announcement that the energy price cap will soar to £3,549 in October has been met with anger by many M.E.N. readers.
This morning (August 26) regulator Ofgem announced that the yearly gas and electricity bill for the average household will rise more than 80pc - from £1,971. It comes amid the worsening cost-of-living crisis.
Households have been told to brace for a tough winter, with families having to come up with the money to pay bills.
The new price cap - announced amid soaring global gas prices - will last for three months from October 1. From January, analysts expect the cap to rise again to £4,200.
It is believed that around 24 million households in the UK have their domestic energy bill decided by Ofgem's price cap. A price cap is also decided for customers on prepayment meters which are separated from those with variable tariffs.
M.E.N. readers expressed their anger on Facebook, slamming the news as 'disgusting' and 'an absolute joke'.
Gary Dobson wrote: "Absolute joke, that is clearly a death sentence for many people who are already struggling. All on the back of huge profits for these utility companies. I for one will not pay."
Susan Burke commented: "That's million who will die this year no food no heating disgusting country."
Wendy Davies added: "Will be stocking up on candles and batteries from this weekend as I haven't got another 1,500 pound to find."
Simon Hewitt sarcastically: "An estimated 45 million will be in fuel poverty. So two thirds of the population. Not bad going for a developed country in the 21st century."
The boss of Ofgem urged the next prime minister to do more to help the country deal with the impact of rise. Jonathan Brearley said the Government would need to add to the support it announced in May when bills were only expected to jump to £2,800.
“The Government support package is delivering help right now, but it’s clear the new prime minister will need to act further to tackle the impact of the price rises that are coming in October and next year,” Mr Brearley said. "We are working with ministers, consumer groups and industry on a set of options for the incoming prime minister that will require urgent action.
“The response will need to match the scale of the crisis we have before us. With the right support in place and with regulator, government, industry and consumers working together, we can find a way through this.”
A government spokesperson said : “We know people are incredibly worried about rising energy bills, following unprecedented gas prices across the continent driven by global events, including Putin’s aggression in Ukraine and his weaponisation of energy in Europe. Direct support will continue to reach people’s pockets in the weeks and months ahead, targeted at those who need it most like low-incomes households, pensioners and those with disabilities.
"As part of our £37 billion package of help for households, one in four of all UK households will see £1,200 extra support, provided in instalments across the year, and everyone will receive a £400 discount on their energy bills over winter. The civil service is also making the appropriate preparations in order to ensure that any additional support or commitments on cost of living can be delivered as quickly as possible when the new Prime Minister is in place.”
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