2M WILL NOT PUT THE HEATING ON

22% surge amid fears of soaring energy bills

- BY GRAHAM HISCOTT Head of Business

MORE than two million households say they will avoid using central heating this winter for fear of soaring energy bills, a survey suggests.

It marks a 22% surge on last year and comes as regulator Ofgem's energy price cap increases from October 1.

Those who live alone are the most likely to avoid using the central heating, with one in 10 planning to find alternative methods to keep warm, according to the poll.

One in 20 households with younger children also say they will not be turning the heating on.

More than half of households who cannot afford to warm their home blame it on rising living costs.

Almost half of those not turning on their heating (45%) are relying on wearing extra layers, hot water bottles and heated blankets to keep warm.