ALMOST half of UK adults who pay energy bills have said they are struggling to afford them, according to new figures.
The Office for National Statistics revealed that 48 per cent of adults said they were finding it "very or somewhat difficult" to afford their energy costs in a survey between August 31 and September 11.
It represents an increase on a fortnight earlier when 45 per cent said they were struggling with energy bills.
However, households have been promised support by Liz Truss's new Government due to the soaring cost of energy since the start of the survey period.
The new Government said it will cap energy bills in Britain at £2,500 from October, including a £400 rebate which will be paid in six instalments.
But it remains unclear yet as to how the support package will be rolled out in Northern Ireland
The fortnightly ONS cost-of-living survey also revealed an increase in concerns from consumers over their regular spending.
It showed that 82 per cent of adults reported "being very or somewhat worried about rising costs of living" in the past two weeks, edging up from 81 per cent a fortnight earlier.
It compared with 74 per cent when households were first asked the question in May.
Around a quarter of adults - 26 per cent - also said they are unable to save as much as usual, when asked about the current state of their household finances.
