Brits have problems paying for heat due to soaring gas prices

More than a quarter of tenants in Britain already have problems paying for heat due to soaring gas prices. According to a YouGov survey conducted for the charity Shelter, 26 percent of tenants, equivalent to 5.3 million people in England, do not have to pay for heat during the winter. Energy prices are rising and the job retention program is due to end on Thursday, September 30, and Social Credit benefits will be reduced by another week. Shelter therefore calls for urgent action to protect tenants from eviction and homelessness. According to Shelter Polly Neat, a mix of these factors can be the last straw for many tenants who have trouble keeping their homes. It therefore fears an increase in homelessness and calls on the government to act before the start of winter. So far, the government has argued that its priority during the current gas crisis is consumer protection. Minister of Economy, Energy and Industry Kwasi Kwarteng said the energy price cap would remain in place. However, it will increase in early October and some consumers' bills may increase if their supplier collapses and they have to switch companies. During an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, Kwarteng admitted that it could be a difficult winter for families, with some likely to have to choose between food and heating. "Our survey shows that one in four tenants will not be able to afford to keep their home warm in the winter, even before this last price increase," Neat said.