The concentration of energy use in the winter means some households pay much higher bills than norma (Image: Getty)
At least 700,000 Brits on a pre-payment meter (PPM) self-disconnected and turned off their energy at least once last winter, the highest figure on record.
The Resolution Foundation found families were disconnecting their energy an average of four times during the three-month winter period.
A spokesperson said: “Self-disconnection is not only a route to feeling cold and being unable to wash or shower, but is also linked to emotional impacts such as financial stress – especially when caused by a wait for benefits payments – and feeling shame or embarrassment.”
“But even when PPM customers are disconnected from the grid, bills continue to rack up. Standing charges accrue regardless of energy use, and if there is no money on the meter to pay for them then they quickly turn into arrears. This frequently adds to already-existing debts which is often the reason households are moved onto PPMs in the first place.”
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There are an estimated four million UK households paying for energy via pre-payment meters (PPMs) and they will need to spend more than 30 per cent of their income on energy costs during the winter months.
The Resolution Foundation also claims that because more than half of PPM households are in debt to their energy suppliers, less credit is available for much-needed energy.
The pressure group says PPM customers are also overlooked in the Government’s decarbonisation plans, raising questions about the extent to which they will be able to reap the rewards of cheaper energy that the net zero transition is expected to deliver.
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Resolution found that spending on heating was highly concentrated during the coldest time of the year, with 78 per cent of heating demand occurring between October and March and 46% in the first quarter of the year.
“This seasonal spike forces families to either spend a very high proportion of their income to keep warm, or to endure cold living conditions that bring with them significant health impacts.”
“The amount of energy that PPM customers need to consume to maintain a reasonable standard of warmth and electricity use will – on average – be more than 30 per cent of their incomes during December, January and February – a figure that falls by close to two-thirds (to around 12 per cent) during the summer.”
Help with heating costs in the winter months
If you are struggling to pay for heating or worried about the cost some government schemes offer additional help.
The Winter Fuel Payment
The has made national headlines after it was announced that the government would scrap it for thousands of pensioners across the country. The scheme provides a one-off payment of £300 to those who have reached age, which is to be contributed towards heating costs.
The Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund was introduced to help vulnerable households manage the crisis. The government program financially helps Brits who are struggling to pay for food, energy, and water bills, among other things.
The Cold Weather Payment
The helps vulnerable households between November 2024 and March 2025, and claimants will receive £25 per week if temperatures in the local area drop below 0C for seven consecutive days.
The Warm Home Discount scheme
This is for households on a low income or receiving pension credit—a £150 discount is given on energy bills.
Home Energy Check
This is a scheme run by local Age UKs that provides a free home check to ensure a property is energy efficient and does not lose heat unnecessarily.