An email survey, by Houghton and Sunderland South MP, Bridget Phillipson, has discovered 67 per cent of local people believe their household energy bills will rise further in 2012.

The same survey showed that 87 per cent of local people have had to make cut backs to afford their rising energy bill due to 2011. According to USwitch this represents a total increase in the average household energy bill of 14.2 per cent from £1,132 pre-price hikes, to £1,293.

This year the government estimated 4.1 million households will be in fuel poverty, paying more than 10 per cent of their income to stay warm. It’s likely the actual number of households in fuel poverty will be higher because of the rising cost of living.

Commenting on the survey, Bridget said:

“It’s shocking that so many local people have had to make cut backs at home to pay for the hikes in energy prices.

“A similar rise in 2012 would be devastating for families across Wearside.

“I’m going to be contacting even more constituents over the coming weeks and months to ask if they have similar concerns.”