WINTER IS COMING..I'M DEEPLY WORRIED

Centrica chief fears bill debts crisis

-  GRAHAM HISCOTT

THE boss of British Gas says he fears customers will be forced to rack up debt as winter bites.

Chris O'Shea says the swelling of all household costs meant people were going into the cold season in an even worse financial state than last year.

O'Shea, chief of parent group Centrica, said: "Energy costs have come down, which is good, but they are twice what they were four years ago. People consume two-thirds of their energy over the winter.

"Your payments can more than double, even if prices stay flat, if you pay when you get your bill. I am deeply worried about that. Those struggling with the cost of living are struggling with interest payments, with council tax payments, with food. It's awful."