50,000 Essex Children Going Without Hot Meals

22 January 2015, 08:19 | Updated: 22 January 2015, 08:22

It is claimed more than 50,000 children in essex are going without things like hot meals, baths and warm bedrooms because their parents cannot afford their energy bills.

The figures have come from the charity the Children's Society which is calling for more to be done to support these families.

Sam Ryoston from the charity said: "They are suffering in cold bedrooms because their parents can't afford to put the heating on, they are missing hot dinners because their parents can't even afford to put the cooker on, and too often this is having a real impact on their health.

"Energy companies are not doing enough to help families, to support them and help them keep their homes warm."

The charity says its research highlights 30% of parents in the East of England fall into energy debt and more than half ended up suffering anxiety, stress or depression as a result.

Sherry Peck, Area Director of The Children's Society in the East of England, said: "Huge numbers of families in the East of England are struggling to make ends meet yet companies are making them the victims of their damaging debt practices.

"It is time they show some warmth and stop failing vulnerable families. They need to follow their agreements to work with, not against, families in energy debt and find workable solutions. No child should be made to grow up in a cold home because their parents are trapped in an energy debt trap."

The charity is calling for "urgent reforms" to help these families including:

• A change in the law so energy companies treat families as "vulnerable customers" and ensure those put on pre-payment meters because they are in debt do not pay more for their energy as a result;
• Energy companies must negotiate affordable debt repayment plans, including lowering or suspending debt repayments over winter;
• Energy companies review staff training procedures, targets and call scripts so a flexible approach is taken with families;
• Energy companies should also offer a free helpline that customers can call from a mobile phone to raise concerns.