FOUR in ten Brits could be plunged into fuel poverty as costs soar again in the autumn, energy bosses warned last night.
Rishi Sunak must intervene with a package to slash £1,000 off bills for the very poorest later in the year as they face “horrific” costs, they said.
Millions of families saw their energy costs rocket £700 to £1,900 at the start of April as the price cap rose — and it is expected to go up again in October.
Ministers have already given a £150 council tax refund and a £200 energy bill loan, but critics say it is nowhere near enough.
Michael Lewis, chief exec of energy firm E.ON, yesterday said he expects customers’ total debt to go up 50 per cent by the end of the year.
He called on the Chancellor to slash VAT and green levies and extend the warm homes discount.
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And British Gas boss Chris O’Shea said one in ten of its customers are already behind on their bills and are £440 in debt, on average.
He warned: “It will get worse without intervention in October.”
Scottish Power’s Keith Anderson told MPs he is “hugely concerned for people” unable to pay the soaring costs.
