UK households 'owe energy suppliers'

More than a quarter of energy customers in the UK owe money their energy suppliers, according to new research.

Statistics from uSwitch.com show that 6.8 million households are currently in arrears, with the average debt owed to firms being around £114.

The company added that prices have gone up by a mean 15 per cent across the UK and that a number of direct debits are not being increased by firms in order to accommodate the change.

Director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com Ann Robinson has commented that "this issue has to be tackled now before it snowballs further".

"Consumers have to take a more active role in managing energy bills - don't just sit back and wait for your supplier to review your account," said the official.

This comes as uSwitch.com has launched a new life insurance comparison service in order to give people looking for policies the chance to shop around.

Related Articles:
UK consumers 'living on the edge financially'
UK locations 'more popular after screen exposure'
Bank of England 'disappointing 31 million people'
Bank of England 'disappointing 31 million people'
Citizens Advice 'welcomes' Financial Capability Action Plan