Cancelling Netflix won’t solve energy price crunch

Cancelling Netflix won’t solve energy price crunch

Energy saving tips are an increasingly hot topic — no matter your level of income.

Following April’s 54 per cent increase to the energy price cap, I expected my bills to increase, but I wasn’t expecting my monthly direct debit to more than double.

My supplier claims this is based on my current usage and will prevent my account from being in the red by the time autumn arrives — at which point, energy prices are forecast to soar further.

I’ve challenged the 112 per cent increase, although I could afford to pay it. Others are dealing with the “price shock” of soaring bills by cancelling Netflix subscriptions; AJ Bell has warned people are investing less; retail sales are plummeting and consumer confidence has plunged to a near-record low.

But what if you have no slack in your budget?

Gemma Hatvani is a woman who knows. Made redundant after working as a business analyst in the energy industry for 16 years, she set up a Facebook group — Energy Support and Advice UK — to help people struggling to pay their bills.

“I wanted to give something back, and use my knowledge to help people — and it’s grown and grown,” she says.

The group’s 15 full-time