Houghton and Sunderland South MP, Bridget Phillipson, is asking local people to help create a more detailed picture of the impact of rising energy bills as the first step in an energy price fight back.

The big energy companies are considering raising the prices they charge households for gas and electricity. British Gas has already announced gas prices will rise by 18% and electricity prices by 16% in August. This is in light of its parent company, Centrica, reporting operating profits of £1.3 billion in the previous six months, up until 30th June.

In 2010 4,020,000 (18.3%) households were described as ‘fuel poor’. Meaning they needed to spend in excess of 10% of household income to keep warm. Rising energy prices is one factor contributing to the rise in ‘fuel poor’ households.

Households wanting to take part in Bridget’s energy price survey should emailBridget.Phillipson.MP@parliament.uk.

Commenting on the launch of her energy price fight back campaign, Bridget said:

“Over 4 million households are already spending over 10% of their income just keeping warm. With winter only a few months away, the rise in gas and electricity prices is extremely unhelpful when households are already finding it hard to keep up with rising prices on the high street and at the petrol pumps.

“The first step in putting pressure on energy companies and the government is to get a more detailed picture of the impact a rise in energy bills will have locally. This will help support the representations I make on behalf of hard-pressed families.”