DEMANDS for more energy support for vulnerable households intensified today as temperatures are expected to plummet this week.

Some areas rose above 16°C on Sunday, but the Met Office forecast a sharp drop by last night, with temperatures potentially plunging to -8°C in parts of Scotland.

Meteorologists warned that the cold spell would continue tomorrow, with parts of England becoming as chilly as -3°C.

The cold snap comes just over a month after energy regulator raised the price cap by 10 per cent, while 6.5 million households remain trapped in fuel poverty. 

Peter Smith of National Energy Action said: “Millions of people will endure these freezing conditions at the same time as unaffordable energy bills and unmanageable energy debt. 

“At this exceptionally difficult time for vulnerable households, we see a desperate need for a larger energy discount or a new social tariff to provide long-term protection. 

“It is also vital the government’s Warm Homes Plan provides significant investment in energy efficiency to make homes cheaper and easier to heat.”

End Fuel Poverty Coalition co-ordinator Simon Francis called for “a proper programme” to insulate homes in order to reduce energy costs.

“As cold, damp weather creeps across the country, Brits are facing their fourth winter of eye-watering energy bills,” he said.

“Millions of people are living in fuel poverty, unable to heat their homes to a safe temperature or racking up massive debts just to pay their bills.

“To add insult to injury, around a quarter of what is spent on heating our draughty properties is wasted, because the fact is that the UK has some of the worst-insulated homes in Europe.”