Household energy debt has hit an eight-year high, and energy bosses have called on the UK Government to consider “radical” change to bring down prices related to grid upkeep and policies.

The amount customers owe their supplier has increased by nearly 30% in the past year, and British households are starting the winter owing £780m to their energy suppliers, a survey for Uswitch found.

The average home now owes suppliers more than £220.

The latest figures have come just weeks after Ofgem’s energy price cap rose by 2% from October 1.

The increase means that energy bills for the average household paying by direct debit for gas and electricity have increased from £1,720 to £1,755 per year.

The “big six” UK energy CEOs were questioned by MPs at the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee on

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