Facing fuel worries? Help is on hand!

The Big Energy Week (January 16 -21) is a chance to get advice on cutting your fuel costs and the worry they cause

Citizens Advice is running a week of energy efficient ideas and advice events to help you slash your heating and power bills.

Over half of people in the East of England worry about paying their next looming power bill and one in two say their finances will be stretched to the limit because of rising energy costs.

But Citizens Advice can help set your mind at ease – and with 52 per cent of us turning the heating off more and more, and over a third not aware that energy companies are offering help with insulating our homes, it’s worth looking into.

The service’s chief executive, Gillian Guy, said: "We know hikes in prices have put extra pressure on people's budgets at a time when money is already tight. Day in day out our bureaux is helping people who can't afford their fuel bills.

"We're worried that some people are struggling unnecessarily because they're not on the best deal; live in homes that haemorrhage heat or are not getting all of the financial help available to them."

Energy and climate change secretary, Chris Huhne, said:  "We know that a lot of households are struggling to cope with rising energy costs. Many people could cut their gas and electricity bills by moving to a better deal with their existing supplier, switching to another supplier altogether, or by taking up home insulation offers. But we need to make sure consumers are aware of this and make it easier for them to take action to save money."

Visit www.bigenergyweek.org.uk for more information, tips and advice.