Struggling households need more help with bills, energy industry says

Higher energy bills this winter mean the government should step in to provide more help for households most in need, the body representing energy firms in the UK has said.

Stubbornly high prices over the last few years have left some people needing "emergency support" over and above the existing £150 Warm Home Discount, Energy UK said.

A "better targeted" support scheme that takes into account someone's income, health and energy consumption was needed, it added.

On Wednesday, the energy price cap for October onwards will be announced by regulator Ofgem and is expected to hit a three-year high.

A government spokesperson said that in addition to the Warm Homes Discount it was cutting VAT on electricity bills and would do "everything we can" to shield consumers from global energy shocks.

Energy UK chief executive Dhara Vyas said: "Suppliers continue to do all they can to help their customers but as well as persistently high bills, record levels of debt show how the current system is failing to provide the right support to those in need."

A new "social discount" scheme would result in "a system that works better for everyone", she added.

Energy UK says suppliers have a range of support measures for customers , external that includes debt write-off schemes and hardship funds, as well as enhanced funding to charity partners.