UK charities have issued a stark warning about how high energy prices will affect children's development over the winter months.
A survey by YouGov for the charity National Energy Action (NEA) and the Food Foundation found that some 24% of parents out of 4,000 households are buying less food since the start of the year in order to afford essentials.
Around 28% have cut back on the quality of food, and 13% say they have have eaten cold meals or meals that do not require cooking to save money on energy bills.
NEA said the number of UK households in fuel poverty will have increased from 4.5 million last October to 6.7 million now. The average household energy bill will rise from £1,971 to a frozen £2,500 from October 1 under the energy price guarantee announced by Prime Minister Liz Truss earlier this month.
Overall, household bills will be 96% higher than last year.
NEA chief executive Adam Scorer said: "People have had to choose between heating and eating. This winter millions will not have even that choice.
"The most vulnerable, including children, will be cold and hungry as energy prices spiral, despite Government support. The impacts on health and wellbeing are devastating and will only get worse after Saturday’s price rises.
"It’s a public health emergency. More targeted and enduring support, like an energy social tariff, is crucial if the most vulnerable are to get through winter warm and fed."
The Government’s new plan only limits the cost per unit that households pay, with actual bills still worked out by how much energy is being used.
The survey also suggests that 67% of parents are worried that energy prices will mean they have less money to buy food for their household, while 51% are worried about the coming winter and its impact on their family’s health.
This news comes after Citizens Advice issued a warning that over half a million more households could be forced onto more expensive prepayment meters by the end of the year because of debt. The current rules state that energy companies can push a household onto a prepayment meter when they can't afford to pay their bills, meaning they have to top up in advance.
This means they're unable to spread the cost of winter across the year, and end up paying higher rates. The advisory service predicts households on prepayment meters could spend £258 more on their energy this winter than someone paying by direct debit.
Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said: "Energy companies have a duty to protect customers, but forcibly moving people in debt onto prepayment meters is disconnection by the backdoor.
"Even with the bill freeze in place, the cost of energy will still be at a record high. If people can’t afford to top up, they’re at real risk of the heating going off and the lights going out.
"The Government must bring in a winter ban to stop energy companies forcing people already struggling onto prepayment meters. It should also bring in targeted support to help people on the lowest incomes pay their bills."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
