UK energy customers debt surpasses £900m

A report says British energy customers’ debt to suppliers has surpassed 900 million pounds as Britons are not able to cope with soaring prices.

The report published by The Guardian on Thursday showed that 1.5 million customers were in debt on their electricity bills and 1.4 million on gas payments, with each indebted customer owing an average of over 300 pounds.

In addition, the data from the latest annual report by the industry’s regulator, Ofgem, showed more than 550 Britons had their electricity cut off and 84 had seen their gas disconnected in 2013.

Ofgem expressed concern that some customers using pre-payment meters (PPMs) may be self-disconnecting as they might not be able to afford to top up their services.

Tom Greatrex, the shadow energy minister, commented on the figures, saying the report was a condemnation of both the industry and Prime Minister David Cameron’s government.

“On David Cameron’s watch energy bills in Britain have risen twice as fast as inflation, four times faster than wages, and faster than almost any other country in the developed world,” said Greatrex, adding, “Many households simply cannot cope – and now the big six [suppliers] are leaving them in the dark.”

Caroline Lucas, the Green party MP, described the figures as a “disgrace,” saying energy companies should not be allowed to disconnect people who cannot afford to pay their energy bills.

Lucas added that the country’s six largest energy companies are “making huge profits whilst treating often vulnerable customers in appalling ways.”

A report published by the House of Commons Library in August said Britain’s energy prices are rising faster than in most developed countries, with figures showing UK electricity prices rose by 23.5 percent and domestic gas prices by 33.5 percent between 2010 and 2013.