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The number of households in the UK who are struggling with energy bill debts is increasing.

This is according to new research that reveals that in total as many as 1.5 million people are in debt to their energy suppliers. The number of people behind on payments to electricity companies has increased by a quarter to 850,000. Similarly around 700,000 people owe money to their gas supplier, an increase of a fifth.

This research was carried out by campaign group Consumer Focus as part of their Plug the Debt campaign. They say that energy prices increased by 7% last winter and have warned that further possible rises of as much as 14% this autumn could push more people into debt.

Consumer Focus's research suggests that -

• One in six people plan to heat only half, or fewer, of the rooms in their house this winter.

• One in twenty people will be heating only one or two rooms, with this number rising to one in ten for the poorest social group.

• Only 55% of customers trust their supplier to help them if they get into debt.

Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, Mike O'Connor, said 'A toxic cocktail of higher energy prices, rising bills for other essentials and falling incomes could push more people into debt with their energy company this winter.'

People who find that they are getting behind on their bills should speak to their energy provider at the earliest possible opportunity.