Britons Fall Further Into Energy Debt Even as Bills Come Down

UK households have accumulated energy debts of £3.3 billion ($4.3 billion) even as bills ease, a reminder to the new Labour government that lower power and gas costs haven’t tempered the cost of living for many.

Energy debts at the end of the first quarter were up £1.1 billion from a year earlier, according to data from regulator Ofgem. That’s because increases in mortgages, food and other expenses have meant some households now view energy bills — which are still well above pre-crisis levels — as a lower priority.