CAB: Energy price rises will leave vulnerable without heat

Gillian Guy, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) chief executive, says energy price rises will result in those with low incomes being forced to go without energy:

"Last year CAB advisers helped with almost 104,000 fuel debt problems. For a lot of people this latest round of price hikes from fuel suppliers will be the final straw that drives them over the edge into serious debt and hardship. We already see cases of self-rationing and self-disconnection where people on low incomes who can't afford rapidly rising gas and electricity bills decide their only option is to go without the heating they need.

"All fuel suppliers need to make it very clear to customers why it is necessary to raise prices by so much now. It's also vital that they always treat vulnerable customers and those in financial difficulties sympathetically and fairly."