Experts expect that the annual maximum on energy bills will reach close to £3,600 per year in October, before rising again in April of the following year.
Health officials have warned that the cost of the living problem might cause a “public health emergency” and lead to an increase in excess winter deaths if the government does not take steps to assist households with growing energy expenses.
Experts expect that the annual maximum on energy bills will reach close to £3,600 per year in October, before rising again in April of the following year.
In a letter to ministers, the NHS Confederation stated that escalating prices will force individuals to choose between forgoing meals to heat their houses or living in squalor.
This will result in more people being ill and experiencing a decline in health.
The organization, which represents NHS leaders in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, also warned that rising poverty rates will lead to an increase in hospital admissions and a massive increase in demand on other sectors of the NHS, imposing “intolerable pressure” on front-line services and employees.
“Their health would rapidly worsen if they cannot afford to adequately heat their houses and eat nutritious meals,” the health officials stated.
This will raise the already high number of yearly deaths attributed to cold housing, which is approximately 10,000 each year.
“As health leaders, we are certain that if the government does not take immediate action, this will leave a permanent scar on local communities and create a public health emergency.”
On August 26, the regulator will declare the new price ceiling, which will take effect in October.
According to the most recent projection from energy consultancy Cornwall Insight, the average household’s annual bills are likely to hit £3,582 in October, up from the £3,358 forecasted earlier this month.
This compares to October’s price ceiling of £1,277.
In January, the sum is anticipated to reach £4,266 before rising to £4,427 in April. The previous estimate for April was $3,729
The cap, which is managed by the energy regulator Ofgem, currently results in the average family paying £1,971 a year – a record amount that mostly reflects the increasing demand for oil and gas when COVID limitations were lifted.
The majority of these projected price hikes are attributable to wholesale natural gas prices, which have skyrocketed in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats have proposed freezing energy costs at their current level, while several of the largest energy suppliers have supported a similar proposal.
However, the administration has made it plain that it will not take any significant action until September 5, when a new prime minister takes office.
Liz Truss and Rushi Sunak, the two candidates in the contest to replace Boris Johnson as prime minister, are under pressure to offer concrete plans to slash bills.
Thursday, the trade association for energy companies urged for additional support beyond the £400 provided to homeowners in May.
Time is running out before October, and we know that many customers are already struggling after the recent price increase,” said Dhara Vys, director of campaigning for Energy UK. “The expected price hikes would simply be unaffordable for millions of households.”
Given the urgency, our sector feels that increasing the amount of support provided through the existing bills support scheme is the most feasible method to assist clients before Christmas.
