Proposed energy bill freeze to take effect Oct. 1 despite mourning period

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Britain is now in the midst of a period of national mourning with several parts of the country coming to a standstill as the country is plunged into a period of deep grief over the death of Queen Elizabeth II - but many have raised questions about what this means for plans to freeze energy bills

The proposed energy bill freeze will still come into effect on October 1 despite the period of national mourning (

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Struggling households owed a total of £2.1bn on their fuel bills even before the spike in energy prices in April.

Millions of people were struggling to pay as debt rose by 38% from £1.5bn in April 2022.

Figures from campaign group Debt Justice, based on the latest data from regulator Ofgem, appear to show there should have been earlier intervention in order to ease the cost of living crisis.

In April, the energy price cap was raised by 54% to an annual average of £1,971 for people on default tariffs. It almost certainly created even more difficulties.

Debt Justice is now calling on the government to pay off energy debt by expanding the windfall tax on profiteering energy producers. Skyrocketing energy prices also mean that three million people now fear running into debt within six months, according to the Mirror.

Prime Minister Liz Truss with members of her new cabinet (

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Those with incomes below £21,000 a year will fall deep into the cycle of debt and poverty, as at least 40% of their income is spent on paying down debt, even before inflation only reaches 6.2%, according to a survey by Debt Justice found.

Louisa, 39, from south London, told the Mirror: 'I am already paying off £2,000 of gas debt and at this rate it will take another four years to pay off.

"During this period I cannot switch to a cheaper supplier. My electricity bill has already gone from £40 a month to around £70.

"I'm afraid I can't make ends meet."

Liz Truss' plan to freeze energy prices for two years, so bills average £2,500 a year,...