Consumer Debt Averages £132 for Energy Bills

Energy Consumer Debt Hits £132

Energy consumers in debt to their suppliers now owe on average £132 – 5% more than last year, according to a study conducted by uSwitch.

Research shows that, of those in debt, 41% now owe more than they did this time last year while 17% said they owed less.

However, the poll for comparison website uSwitch found the number of UK households owing money has dropped from 6.5 million last year to 5.5 million – or 21%.

The figures follow recent gas price-cuts across the industry due to falling wholesale prices.

USwitch reported household energy bills rocketed by 42% (£381) in 2008 but fell by just 4% (£54) in 2009. Price cuts so far this year average out at 4% (estimated £45).

According to uSwitch, it is predicted that the average household bill will be £1,209 a year once the cuts come into effect – this is still £297 or 33% higher than at the beginning of 2008.