Britain’s household energy debt has climbed to record levels, the Guardian said in an editorial, warning that families at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis are being forced into impossible choices between heating, food and other bills.
The paper said household energy arrears rose to £6 billion by the end of June and are on course to reach £7 billion by the end of the year, as the government’s cap on gas and electricity prices is due to rise in October to its highest level in three years. The editorial linked the increase in the price cap to recent volatility in global energy markets driven in part by tensions in the Middle East.
The government has moved to ease pressures by announcing that VAT will be removed from electricity bills from the beginning of October. The Guardian noted, however, that the expected rise in the price cap would more than offset the effect of that cut for many households.
The editorial urged urgent short-term measures to protect the most vulnerable while the country accelerates investment in a cleaner, more secure energy system. It said failing to provide immediate support will force growing numbers of people regularly to choose whether to skip meals, defer other bills or run their homes cold this winter.
Reflecting on the broader context, the paper argued that in an era of geopolitical volatility high energy costs look set to be a persistent problem and called on ministers to combine emergency assistance with long-term policy aimed at reducing exposure to global price swings and accelerating the transition to low-carbon sources.