Average Bradford household paying twice as much to fuel home

New figures suggest the average household in the city is paying twice as much as last winter.

The latest figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy show the average Bradford household consumed 13,409 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of gas and 2,621 kWh of electricity in 2021.

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 £2,502 per year to run their home.

Based on prices last winter, the average Bradford household would have had an annual spend of approximately £1,273 for the same amount of energy – half as much.

The cost of living crisis is affecting a lot of people in Bradford (Image: Newsquest)

Razina Bostan, of the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for Bradford and Airedale, has seen more and more people use their service recently.

The CAB is "horrified" to see what the cost of living crisis is doing to the health of those living in the city.

She said: "We are not surprised at the level of increases in gas and electric prices as we feared and warned last year that this was set to happen.

"We are, however, horrified and dismayed at the human cost of the crisis that we are dealing with on a daily basis.

Citizens Advice in Bradford (Image: Newsquest)

"We already have increased numbers of people contacting us who are struggling to find the money to eat.

"Many are also running out of gas and electricity on their meters and seeing their bills soar.

"This, in turn, not only leads to the immediate need for heat and food but also means that they may be falling behind with rent or mortgages.

"The threat to people is in the short term and presents people with the prospect of a bleak future.

She added: "We hear many clients explaining how this has affected both their physical and mental health.

"We follow Citizen Advice nationally and many others in calling for more help to be made available to people as a matter of urgency.

"We fear if this is not done many people will fall further into ill health and hardship."

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.

Adam Scorer, chief executive of National Energy Action, said the situation could worsen this year following the end of the current Energy Price Guarantee, claiming one in three households will be in fuel poverty.

Mr Scorer said this means people "will be forced to bed wearing coats, ration showers and hot water, run up huge debts or self-disconnect and go cold".

"Millions of the most vulnerable – carers, people with disabilities, those on low incomes and living in inefficient homes – are already bearing the brunt this winter," he added.

"The effects of this are devastating on both physical and mental health. Make no mistake, cold homes can kill.

"Government intervention must prioritise the most vulnerable in 2023 and beyond."

A BEIS spokesperson said it has recently launched a new campaign "It All Adds Up" to help families reduce their energy bills.

They said: "We know it is a difficult time for families across the country.

"That is why we have acted swiftly to provide support, including the Energy Price Guarantee, which is saving the typical household around £900 this winter, as well as £400 payments towards bills and £1,200 for the most vulnerable households."

Bradford Council has a dedicated Cost of Living website which details what is available locally to help those in need.

It provides details and links to Government and housing support, as well as food resources, help with energy and bills, and feeding the family.

According to Citizens Advice Bradford and Airedale, one of the quickest ways to access foodbank support is to call the Help Through Hardship helpline on 0808 2082138.

Clients can also speak to dedicated energy advisers at the CAB on 0800 448 0721
If you need urgent fuel, their Consumer Service is on 0808 223 1133.