Brits 'cut back to meet energy bills'
Following the "huge" energy bills that came as a result of this year's cold winter, four in ten Britons have been forced to cut back on their basic living costs, new research has found.
According to Consumer Focus, 65 per cent of people have admitted to being "shocked" at finding their energy bills were more than they had expected, a surprise brought on by a combination of high fuel prices and a winter cold snap.
In addition, 59 per cent of respondents claimed that they did not believe recent reductions in energy tariffs would make much of a difference to their bills.
Jonathan Stearn, Consumer Focus' energy expert, said: "It is disgraceful that huge winter energy bills are causing such misery for so many of the most vulnerable families, pensioners and disabled people. Recent meagre energy price cuts will barely dent fuel poverty levels."
However, homeowners could make a dent in their energy bills by having a condensing b
oiler installed.
The Energy Saving Trust notes that the device could save Britons as much as a third on their annual heating bills.
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