Worried families are "petrified" as they wonder how they will cope after news energy bills are set to soar from April 1.
The new raised energy price cap will mean a huge bills hike for many families, some of whom are already "struggling so much".
Average energy bills will rise by £693 a year when the price cap is changed on April 1, as a quarter of households are expected to be pushed into fuel poverty.
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ECHO readers have had their say on the news.
Cathy Rutherford said: "It's going to affect us all, people are already struggling with rising prices in food, council tax, fuel, and just about every other aspect of our lives, yet the only thing that isn’t rising is our wages.
"I don’t know how people are expected to manage. There is already a lot of people struggling as it is.
"Not to mention how this is going to impact on many businesses and let’s not forget the likes of hospitals who rely on heating and electrics to keep people alive, where is the extra money going to come from for their bills?"
Julie Coyne said: "Absolutely disgusting, what about the poor families, how are they going to pay this when they're already living in poverty? Shame on you."
The price cap on standard variable tariffs will rise from £1,277 to £1,971 per year.
Shortly after the announcement, Chancellor Rishi Sunak promised to “take the sting out” of the price rises and announced a scheme for all domestic electricity customers to be given an "upfront discount of £200" on their energy bills.
Mr Sunak also promised a £150 council tax rebate for homes in bands A to D, something he said would cover around 80% of homes in England and pledged £144 million to councils to support vulnerable people.
Colin Hoose said: "With the 350 from the government to offset costs it works out at £29 a month which even though we as a family are living below the relative poverty line, we can manage."
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has given an update on what he thinks people should do next after a huge rise in energy bills was announced on Thursday.
One reader said: "Well this is me and my mum up a certain creek, only forget a paddle, the canoe has sprung a leak. She's bedbound due to a degenerative illness and I'm her 24-hour carer. This stupid increase is going to play hell with what little we could put aside a month for non essentials.
"And to cut anyone off about non-essentials, we are talking maybe a model kit every couple of months or so on, just something to relax with, not the latest designer idiocy or some apple electronic thing."
Another added: "This is absolutely ridiculous, people are already struggling."
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