Consumers groups are warning that ‘a combination of cold weather, high gas and electricity prices and mounting pressure on disposable incomes’ could lead to an increase in the number of families falling into debt with energy suppliers, The Independent reports.

The warning comes after a recent report by energy industry regulator Ofgem revealed that large numbers of people are falling into arrears on their utility bills – with many customers falling into debt with their energy providers before winter actually began.

An IVA expert for the IVA Forum commented: “People who can’t afford essential costs such as their utility bills are probably finding it difficult to service any unsecured debts they have as well.

“We would advise anyone in debt to contact a professional debt adviser as soon as possible. There are a number of debt solutions – an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement), for example, or a debt management plan – that may be able to help them tackle their debts while leaving enough money aside for essential costs such as utility bills.”