Energy bill update as shocking new data revealed

Anxiety about escalating energy costs is laid bare in new polling which shows nearly nine out of 10 Britons are worried. A third (32%) admit they heated their homes less often than in previous winters.

This month the average household gas and electricity bill went up by £111 to £1,849 a year. Eighty-eight percent of Britons told pollsters Ipsos they are concerned about the cost of energy – but this is not their only worry.

Nearly eight in ten (77%) are concerned about the dependence of the UK is on energy imports from other states, and 72% fear supplies could be interrupted. Two-thirds say the would support more clean energy sources in their local area – and this jumps to 78% if it would reduce the cost of bills.

However, less than half (48%) would support new renewable energy infrastructure if it changed the appearance of their local landscape. And only four out of 10 support building on greenfield land.

There is widespread concern about climate change, with just 12% saying it is not very or not at all important. Seven percent of Britons said it was the most important issue facing the UK.

While 76% support more investment in renewable energy such as solar, tidal or wind, only 48% back greater spending on nuclear energy – and just 43% support re-starting or increasing the UK’s own production of fossil fuels. Only 28% backed restarting fracking.

More than three-quarters of Britons (76%) supported improving the energy efficiency of homes and businesses.

Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, responded to the findings, saying: “It’s no wonder people are worried about soaring energy costs. When politicians push senseless net zero policies, they conveniently forget to mention who ends up footing the bill – ordinary hardworking families.

“No country can thrive while burdened with some of the highest energy prices in the world. It’s unsustainable, unfair, and unnecessary.

“We must focus our efforts on domestic energy security — drilling in the North Sea, using onshore shale gas, and investing in modular nuclear reactors. Only Reform UK is committed to scrapping net zero, slashing energy costs, and unlocking real economic growth.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero defended the pace at which the Government is working to bring down carbon emissions, saying: “Only by sprinting to clean power by 2030 can the UK take back control of its energy and protect both family and national finances from fossil fuel price spikes. Every wind turbine and solar panel we install will help to cut our reliance on foreign dictators, every home we insulate will bring down bills with energy-efficient homes.

“Through targeted grants, our warm homes plan will help up to 170,000 social housing tenants and households on low incomes improve their homes, and up to half a million households could be lifted out of fuel poverty by 2030 in a major boost to standards in the private rental sector.”