UK’s ‘energy crisis hotspots’ revealed as new price cap estimates kick in
Cornwall Insight analysts have predicted that a typical household will pay £3,554 for its annual energy bills in October
As the clock is ticking on the announcement of the level of the new energy price cap, a new study has revealed the UK’s ‘energy crisis hotspots’.
New research by Friends of the Earth suggests there are almost 9,000 areas across England and Wales where communities are at higher risk for ‘serious financial hardship’ as a result of unaffordable energy costs.
The environmental group’s report stresses that Birmingham, Bradford, Cornwall, Sandwell, County Durham and Enfield rank highest among 30 local authorities with the most ‘energy crisis hotspots’.
The analysis suggests Birmingham and Bradford also top a list of areas with the most homes that are missing basic insulation measures.
Three days before the official price cap announcement on Friday, consultancy Cornwall Insight published its final predictions for October’s default tariff cap.
They have predicted that annual energy bills could rise to £3,554.
Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said: “There’s no downplaying how catastrophic this and following winters will be for millions of people if energy bills rise as high as they’re predicted to, unless the government meaningfully intervenes.
“Instead of woeful and poorly targeted cash handouts, or the promise of tax cuts that won’t help those who need it the most, the government must beef up its package of emergency financial support by channeling money to those least able to pay their energy bills.
“And while vital, this is only a short-term solution. The highest priority of all is fixing the UK’s leaky, inefficient housing stock, otherwise, cash handouts will be required year on year.”
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