A NATIONAL housing organisation says poorer families and the elderly could freeze this Christmas unless the Government curbs energy firms.
The National Housing Federation fears vulnerable families face a "feed the meter or feed the kids" dilemma this winter.
Its stark warning comes after a survey found that 75 per cent of people in Yorkshire believe the Government should act before C
hristmas to stop the big gas and electricity companies using prepayment meters to charge their poorer customers extra.
In the past five years, the number of households that have plunged into fuel poverty has trebled, with over a quarter of all households across the Yorkshire region now feared to be struggling to pay their fuel bills. Those people who use prepayment meters can be charged up to £500 per year more for their gas and electricity than those on the best deals available by direct debit.
The poll, commissioned by the federation, questioned more than 2,000 people from the region.
More than 60 per cent of those who took part agreed that prepay customers should not be charged an extra fee, instead the energy suppliers should be made to absorb the cost of installing and maintaining the meter.
Only four per cent of those polled agreed that the big energy firms should be free to charge pre-payment meter customers whatever they felt appropriate.
The Prime Minister and Government Ministers have pledged to force the big energy companies to stop charging prepayment meter customers the most expensive tariffs if the companies do not do so voluntarily.
The federation is campaigning to persuade the big energy companies to ease the burden on low-income families by balancing the costly prepayment meter tariffs with standard credit rate.
Federation regional manager Julie Gamble said: "Many families face a 'feed the meter or feed the kids' dilemma this Christmas. The Government have made promises to tackle this problem, now we need action.
"Prepayment meter customers tend to be from lower income backgrounds who can ill afford this extra charge, especially at this time of year in the current economic climate.
"The best gift for pre-payment meter customers this Christmas will be a fair deal at last."
The federation's calls come as key energy policy makers meet later this week, to address one of the most important issues facing Yorkshire communities.
More than 80 delegates will arrive in Leeds on Friday to discuss progress in delivering the Regional Affordable Warmth Action Plan.
The plan aims to ensure that different agencies work together to tackle the explosion in fuel poverty caused by recent price rises by energy companies.
Those attending the event called Breaching the Barriers – Hard to Reach, Hard to Treat, held at St George's Hall, will discuss ways of making it easier to access funding to improve people's homes.
