The figures, published by Citizens Advice, reveal the hardships caused by rising domestic energy costs, which charities say is driving millions into fuel poverty. The cap on average UK household gas and electricity bills – set by energy regulator Ofgem – is likely to jump in October from £1,971 to £3,500, according to forecasts issued last week. The level of the cap will be revealed on August 26 and further rises are likely in January. This prompted an outcry for more support from the government and the two Tory leadership candidates, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss. But new data shows the number of people struggling to eat and pay for energy has already risen, even before the new cap kicks in. Between April and June last year, 297 people contacted Citizens Advice for help with both food bank referrals and money to top up their pre-paid energy meter. In the same period in 2022, the number of people suffering from both problems rose to 1,002, a 237% increase in one year. Morgan Wild, head of policy at Citizens Advice, said the numbers were “truly shocking”. “These are people who literally can’t afford to keep the lights on or put food on the table,” he said. The punishing energy costs are due in part to Russia cutting gas flows to Europe amid the ongoing standoff over the war in Ukraine, sending natural gas markets soaring. Given the predicted increase in the energy price cap, the charity National Energy Action (NEA) has added half a million households to its estimate of those facing fuel poverty – defined as spending more than 10% of income on energy. The charity, which advises people on how to manage their energy bills, now predicts that 8.7 million households, more than one in three in the UK, will find themselves in fuel poverty once the next price cap comes into force in October. The NEA said the choice between food and energy is not the only one forced by poverty. “Some people are choosing between food and vital medical equipment like oxygen machines,” said Peter Smith, NEA’s director of policy and advocacy. He said the government’s £400 discount on bills was “welcome” but insufficient given it was introduced in May, when energy prices were expected to be much lower. “The new Prime Minister must act, and act urgently, to save millions from the potentially devastating winter ahead.” Data from Citizens Advice also highlights how the cost of living crisis is disproportionately affecting certain groups of people, including those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. In 2014, 45,842 disabled people or people with long-term health problems approached Citizens Advice for help with issues other than the cost of living, compared to 32,445 who were struggling to pay their bills. But the cost of living surpassed all other issues combined for the first time in January 2021, and since then it has moved far ahead for people with disabilities, unlike the rest of the population. Citizens Advice said this was likely partly due to delays in the Personal Independence Payment scheme, which replaced Disability Allowance in 2017. The figures also showed higher than average referrals to food banks among single people and those in social housing. Referrals among single people, including those who were children, have risen much faster than among couples, while there has also been a sharp rise among social tenants. Citizens Advice pointed out that forecasts of monthly energy bills of £500 in January mean heating and electricity costs could exceed the average £420 spent on social rents in London for the first time.