The Charity, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) say families will struggle, as energy prices increase by 54%.

Energy bills for about 22 million people are due to rise by more than half in April, rising by £693 for the average customer.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said that he will give people in council tax bands A to D a £150 council tax rebate in April.

It would mean 80% of council tax payers in England are entitiled to the saving; there will also be £150m available for local authorities in England to help lower income households.

CAP say they have already seen a rise in the number of calls in the last few months from families who need support. The new hikes mean that that number is likely to rise.

Paul Walmsley, Energy Relationships Manager from Christians Against Poverty spoke to Premier and said: “I think families will struggle, there is no doubt about that. The proposals that the Chancellor has made only cover half of the amount increase in the price cap.

“When you look deeper in what’s been proposed, this offering of a £200 discount in October, actually of which we would have had another increase by then; another price gap announcement by that point.

“In some ways this is a drop in the ocean, but it is a step in the right direction, they are trying to make that effort.

“I have seen, particularly with this council tax rebate, that they are trying and attempting to make it a fast and rapid approach to change and support.

“There are still some questions about whether that is the right thing to do and whether that is going to help the right households.

“We are still pretty worried about how households will cope.”

Paul has encouraged anyone who is worried about the increase in energy prices to 'seek help' and not to 'feel ashamed or embarrassed.'

He stresses that it's better to address financial concerns, rather than 'bury your head in the sand.'

You can visit CAP's website for more help and advice at:- https://capuk.org/