A coalition of charities and consumer groups have said that the poor are disproportionately affected by spiralling energy costs, with a higher percentage of low-income households using pre-payment meters which can cost up to £173 a year more than the same amount of energy paid for by direct debit.

The coalition, which includes Citizen’s Advice, Age Concer, Energywatch and the Child Poverty Action Group, has sent a letter to the ‘big six’ energy suppliers calling for the charges for pre-payment and quartley bills to be equalized, fearing disconnections this winter as vulnerable groups struggle to meet the extra burden.

While some companies have already equalised their charges, including British Gas for their gas meters, others described dropping the surcharge as ‘unviable’.

Energywatch said that average gas prices had risen by 87% in total since 2003, with domestic electricity up 55.8%.

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