Lockdown causes almost 3m Brits to fall into energy debt: The coronavirus pandemic has caused almost three million Brits to have fallen behind on their energy bills.

Mobile phone, broadband, water and energy bills are the most common sources of household debt suggests the new survey by Citizens Advice.

Conducted by Opinium the survey asked 6,015 adults about their current financial challenges, also found around a fifth of individuals having to go without essentials, including food and one-in-four people who are parents or carers are behind on their household bills.

One-in-three black people are struggling to pay one or more bills, compared to one-in-eight white people, the findings of the survey also show.

Many of those now in debt may never be able to escape it Citizens Advice warns and estimates those people who sought help with debt since March this year will need on average, two and half years to pay back their current bills.

One-off or time-limited financial support has been called for by the organisation to back those in debt.

Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, Dame Gillian Guy said: “It is not right that people who’ve followed government guidance by shielding, stayed at home to care for others, been forced to work less, or lost their jobs altogether should be the ones left facing a financial black hole.

“Government and businesses must help them now. Financial support for those who have fallen into debt must be prioritised to free them from the damaging consequences of long-term debt and help strengthen the economic recovery.”

Lockdown causes almost 3m Brits to fall into energy debt