Energy suppliers urged to tackle household debt as winter approaches

Energy bosses were summoned to an online roundtable meeting by energy consumer minister Polly Billington to discuss a government strategy aimed at paying down the energy debts of millions of struggling households. The government plans to spend nearly £2.5bn to write off record high debts as part of a wider package. Suppliers are expected to continue playing a crucial role by proactively identifying customers in financial difficulty and offering support such as payment plans. This comes as household energy debt across the country could reach £7bn by the end of the year, adding costs to everyday billpayers.