Millions of British households refrained from switching on the heating last winter over fears of being hit with high energy bills, consumer group Which? has reported.
As Ofgem prepares to unveil its price cap for this winter on Friday – which will effectively determine how much households will pay – Which? warned many would do the same again.
Nearly half of some 4,000 people surveyed by Which? responded saying they held back from heating their homes last winter regardless of cold weather.
“This equates to a shocking 13 million estimated households nationwide,” the consumer group pointed out, placing them at higher risk of illnesses caused by sustained exposure to the cold.
“Lower-income households and families with children are more likely to be left in the cold this winter,” Which? energy editor Emily Seymour commented.
“The government and energy firms need to act now to help those most in need make ends meet over the winter.”
Energy bills rose rapidly last year on the back of squeezed supply due to the pandemic and war in Ukraine.
As a result, Ofgem’s price cap - which sets a limit on how much suppliers can charge per unit of energy – climbed by 212% over the course of the year, prompting the government to step in and subsidise household bills from October.
Which? called on ministers to go one step further though, urging a social tariff should be introduced.
A social tariff, already offered by broadband companies for customers on certain benefits, would see people in need granted cheaper bills through subsidies capping how much they are charged per unit of energy.
“A properly targeted social tariff […] is desperately needed to ensure energy affordability for those who need it most,” the group added.