The average Bolton household is paying almost twice as much as last winter to fuel their home, new figures suggest – with more people in the borough seeking help from Citizens Advice.

National Energy Action said the situation will continue to deteriorate this year as customers face spiralling energy bills when the government's Energy Price Guarantee – which means bills for a typical household are currently capped at £2,500 per year – rises in April.

The latest figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy show the average Bolton household consumed 11,858 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of gas and 2,663 kWh of electricity in 2021.

One kWh would run an average oven for around 30 minutes, while the median has been used to exclude extreme values which could skew the average.

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At the current charging rates capped by the government, it means the average household on a variable tariff continuing to use the same amount of energy as in 2021 would be paying around £2,361 per year to run their home.

Based on prices last winter, the average Bolton household would have had an annual spend of approximately £1,220 for the same amount of energy – just over half as much.

Households on a fixed tariff will pay for energy at their current rate until the term comes to an end.

Richard Wilkinson, CEO of Citizens Advice Bolton and Bury, said: “From our perspective and our data for Bolton, in comparison to the latest three months and the same three months 2021/22, what we have seen is a 124 per cent increase in the people coming to us needing debt and money assessments.

“We have seen a 71 per cent increase in people who have got energy debts and a 151 per cent increase in the number of people with council tax arrears.

“So, we are seeing those impact of costs turning into people coming to us and seeking help.

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“It is fair to say that we are starting to see the impact on our services of the increased cost of living.

“It is incredibly worrying, we can see in terms of the debt problems as well, there are certain hotspots that are emerging in the borough these include Great Lever, Tonge, Crompton and Halliwell, where we are seeing a concentration of clients who have approached us needing help with their debt situation.”

As the cost-of-living increases and energy prices rise, the council has several schemes in place to help residents:

  • 15,000 children eligible for free school meals have received vouchers during the school holidays
  • 10,000 pensioners each received a £100 Post Office Voucher
  • A total of £200,000 has been invested in Bolton’s fund to support community projects which help residents with the cost of living
  • A network of more than 60 warm spaces have been created across the borough, providing a place to keep warm and get cost of living advice
  • Thousands of Bolton residents have been supported via the Local Welfare Provision, a scheme offering help with short-term financial emergencies and is open to everyone
  • Two well attended cost of living drop-in events featuring advice, support and practical demonstrations

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The council’s deputy leader, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, added: “Supporting Bolton residents with the rising cost of energy bills has been one of the council’s top priorities.

“Ahead of the winter months, we coordinated with our partners and local community groups to set up a comprehensive support package.

“This has ranged from targeted support for older people and children on free school meals, to information days and welfare provision open to all residents at this challenging time.

“I urge anyone struggling with their bills to visit bolton.gov.uk/costofliving to see the wide range of guidance and help that is available.”