In the last five years gas bills have soared by 108.7 per cent, while electricity prices have risen by 69 per cent. This year alone, gas and electricity prices have risen by 15 per cent. As a result everyone is feeling the pinch – but those on low incomes and state pensions have been hardest hit. In fact, pensioners’ winter fuel payments have been wiped out. A typical pensioner household aged 65 to 74, with gas central heating, has seen gas bills go up by £260 per year, and electricity by £160 per year, while the value of the winter fuel payment per household for those aged 60-79 is just £200, and £300 for those aged over 80. Meanwhile, a study published this week shows that 6.8 million households are currently in debt to their supplier – with the average amount households owe standing at £114. Other research, this time by Age Concern, the Child Poverty Action Group and National Energy Action, has shown the number of households in fuel poverty – that’s those that have to spend more than ten per cent of their disposable income on power – has soared by 600,000 in recent months to 4.5 million. This includes the vast majority of single pensioners and lone-parent families entitled to basic state benefits, who now face a choice between heating and eating. It also looks like things are likely to get worse.