Some 1.7 million Britons will keep their heating off all winter as energy bills are set to soar by £300 in January

Affected households paid up to £350 extra after suppliers withdrew fuel orders, leaving 1.5 million off-grid homes unprotected as winter approaches.

7 million UK households will not turn their heating on this winter, with bills having already risen 4% on 1 October, taking the typical annual cap to £1,723.

A Uswitch survey has found that nearly 6 per cent of UK households — around 1.7 million — have no intention of running their heating this winter, while 52 per cent of all homes fear they will struggle to stay warm. The Ofgem price cap already rose 4 per cent on 1 October, pushing annual bills to £1,723, and forecasters warn it could hit £1,999 by January — the steepest rise in four years. More than 15 million households say they dread the coldest months, and campaigners are demanding the government act now.

Over a quarter of those going without heating say bills have made it genuinely unaffordable — not just an inconvenience.

Half of those skipping the central heating plan to rely on hot water bottles, extra layers and electric blankets to survive the cold.

Prepayment meter customers are the hardest hit: seven in ten fear going cold this winter, 20 points above the national average.

endfuelpoverty.org.ukHeating oil homes to get new protections yet long term help faces the axe Daily MailWhen will you turn the heating on? Millions say they will leave it off all winter as bills are too high The Independent1.7 million UK households will not turn heating on this winter – where to find help bbc.co.ukBBC News - Government To Regulate Heating Oil Market

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