Many individuals currently have to choose between paying fuel bills or buying food. Those hit hardest are the elderly, the disabled and single parents.
Often fuel companies only read meters once a year. In some cases they don’t even do that. This makes individuals unsure of the cost of fuel they are using. In a time of steeply rising prices, this means companies are underestimating how much we should be paying to stay up to date. Most of us think that because we are paying what the fuel companies are asking for, that we are not falling into debt. This is not the case, and many people now have bills running into hundreds of pounds.
Sarah Walford of local debt advisers www.revivalforyou.co.uk says “There has been a huge increase in individuals seeking help with debt problems in the past 2 years. I would urge anyone to get advice at an early stage to ensure that problems are kept to a minimum. Don’t leave it too late. The earlier you seek advice, the more options available to you."