Fuel poverty has become a burning issue

Rising energy prices have left some households with the choice – heat or eat, writes Kara Gammell

Britain's gas and electricity prices are rising at the fastest rate in Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has said, pushing 4m households into fuel poverty, according to the Citizens' Advice Bureaux (CAB).
"Utility bills are already up 15 per cent in the first four months of this year and if the gas and electric companies deliver the tariff increases they are threatening, of a 15 per cent increase at minimum, then they will rise by that much over the next six months. So annual increases could reach 30 per cent by the autumn, as it did between July 2006 and April 2007."
Dual fuel plans are one way to provide relief for those struggling to pay their bills and finding those deals online will make it even cheaper.

As you can see from our table, British Gas has an online dual fuel offer of £845 compared with its standard £1,055. However, while Scottish and Southern Energy comes in most expensive at £925 a year, it is not cheaper to get an online tariff.

The deregulation of the gas and electricity markets has meant customers can switch suppliers and are not forced to buy from the regional supplier of electricity in their area and gas from British Gas.

You can change your gas or electricity supplier by signing a form from the new provider, which will then sort out everything on your behalf.

full article