Average household energy bills were £1,277 last winter, they are now £2,500. Although the Government is set to postpone the planned hike to £3,000, households will see a £67 per month increase next month as the Energy Bill Support Scheme closes. Usdaw conducted a survey of over 7,500 members, mainly key workers, and found that:
- Over three-quarters have struggled to pay an energy bill over the past twelve months.
- 45% no longer use their household heating.
- Over four-in-ten have cut down on other essentials such as food.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “With eye-watering prices, it is little wonder that too many are struggling to pay their energy bills, not putting the heating on, avoid cooking meals and having to choose between eating and heating.
“Despite the energy price guarantee increase being postponed, the Government are still allowing bills to double since last winter and households will lose the £67 per month support they’ve had through the winter. At the same time wages continue to be devalued by rising prices and today’s Budget should have delivered a new deal for workers that ends low-paid and insecure employment..
“We are in a cost of living emergency and workers need a government that will make a positive difference to their lives, as they desperately struggle to make ends meet. The failures of thirteen years of the Conservatives in government are clear for everyone to see. Only a Labour Government can put Britain back on track.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades.
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter
@UsdawUnion