NEW analysis by Citizens Advice has shown that 1 in 4 people will be unable to afford their energy bills in October.
It used current price forecasts of how much bills will increase to calculate how many people will face significant shortfalls in their budgets.
It also found that when the price cap rises once again in January the figure could jump to 1 in 3 people.
The research suggests that as well as those on the lowest incomes a new group of people, who would otherwise be financially stable, may soon be plunged into hardship due to the extent of the price rises.
Citizens Advice say that over half of the people who won’t be able to pay their bills are not eligible for the UK Government’s targeted support for people on means-tested benefits. Most of these households earn less than £30,000 a year and are in work.
Alan Brown, the SNP’s energy spokesperson at Westminster, said: “Spiralling energy bills are pushing people into debt, poverty and destitution – yet out-of-touch Tory ministers just keep passing the buck on whose responsibility it is to tackle this Tory-made cost-of-living crisis.
“The current UK Prime Minister says that no further support will be forthcoming until a new PM is appointed, and the favourite to be the next prime minister said that she will not be setting out any help until she is in post and has refused to say what that help will be."
He went on: “People need help now, and they need far more than what is already on offer. Citizens Advice’s projections already take into account the one-off energy rebate and cost-of-living payments – it is clear that it will barely scrape the sides for the majority of people.
“The Tory government must get its act together. Parliament must be recalled and an emergency budget brought forward that freezes the energy price cap, scraps VAT on fuel, and delivers meaningful financial support for households."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already confirmed she will hold an emergency summit with energy providers before any new price cap is announced on August 26.
Citizens Advice said that skyrocketing energy costs combined with a stagnation in wages means that people will have significantly less money at the end of the month.
According to the charity this, in turn, will impact negatively on people’s quality of life and mental health as people forego the expenditures that used to give them pleasure.
A spokesperson for the charity said: "Ultimately, support needs to target those who need it most and meet the scale of the challenge – and that means new ideas on the table to boost incomes and reduce costs.
“Some options for supporting these under-reached groups could include targeted support via a child benefit grant, or rebate to basic rate taxpayers.
“We’re also calling for a winter ban on energy companies forcibly switching customers to prepayment meters, which should protect anyone who falls into arrears.”
