Following the news on increasing energy pricing this spring, Bracknell residents say that the rise in  costs are worrying.

 Thoughts among the community have been that many household costs may have to be cut and luxuries dispensed of.

 Energy companies have made the announcement this week that yearly bills will rise by almost £700 a year for a typical household.

One Bracknell homeowner said: “I can’t afford it really. We’re going to have to pull back expenses in other areas and just be more careful with putting the heating on.”

 Another resident, Alex told us that the rise will pull back purchases for luxury item:

 She said: “It’s Definitely worrying. We’ve been looking at cars recently and having to say that our monthly payments will have to go back and we’re going to have to make allowances for other bills going up. We think our bills are going to double for us.”

 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that 80% of all homes in England will get a £150 discount on their council tax bill in April, while all domestic electricity customers will get £200 in October off their energy bills.

 We asked the Bracknell community if they think this will help when paying for the cost of living.

 Many thought that it is a good gesture but in the long run will not help with household costs if energy costs are going to double.

 Two men who were shopping in the area explained: “You should be able to choose not to have it. Because everyone is just forced to have it, you have to pay it back in taxes later on. If you don’t want it, you should have the choice.”

 With the rise in energy prices it has also been announced that “more than one in four UK households will be in fuel poverty once Ofgem’s latest energy price cap rise comes into effect”

Don O'Mahoney, an ex-radio presenter from Bracknell explained passionately: "We’ve literally been thrown to the wolves to try and sort it out. You can’t say to any of these companies I’m going to go somewhere else because their prices are worse than theirs. They’ve shafted all the small ones and they have been allowed to do it.

As I said, this is pre-ordained and unfortunately you see very large companies are crusing the small companies out of existence and you’ve got useless and complicit politicians on all parties.

"The subsidy is never going to be enough."

 The Local charity, Connecting Communities in Berkshire, which was set up 10 years ago to assist people struggling with energy bills, are expecting an increase in low income families seeking their support.

 They want to let Bracknell families know that they are not alone.

 The charity provides support within their project, for families tackling fuel poverty in the Bracknell Forest area.

 Helen Dean, who runs the Tackling Fuel & Water Poverty project in Berkshire says; “The increase in the price cap is devastating for families, particularly those on low incomes, when they are already struggling to pay their bills. The worry this causes should not be underestimated, affecting families’ mental health, with some families having to choose between heating and eating.”

 Helen works throughout Berkshire providing bespoke telephone advice, and attending targeted groups for young families.

Tim Parry, Chief Executive of CCB said; “With today’s announcement that energy bills will rise by almost £700 a year for a typical household we believe that more families in the region are likely to be pushed into fuel poverty** so we are expecting to receive an increase in demand for this service. Our project can provide real support and results to families in need in the area”