Recent figures released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change show that as many as 4.6 million English households could face fuel poverty in 2009. In wake of the situation, the Government has promised that the issue will be completely under control by 2016.

By definition, fuel poverty is a term employed when people end up spending in excess of 10% of their household earnings in heating homes. The data collected in the study conducted revealed that the number of houses struck by fuel poverty in the UK surged from 3.5 million in 2006 to 4 million in 2007.

"The overall effect of price rises since 2004 has far outweighed the impact of increasing incomes and energy efficiency," the report said.

Further pointing to the gravity of the situation, the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has reported a huge increase in the number of people seeking help for their ever growing fuel bills. It was also reported by the Bureau that most people seeking help were poor, but employed.

"We are already seeing large increases in the number of people in fuel debt and it is not yet winter", said David Harker, the chief executive of Citizens Advice.

The DECC report calls for a change in tactics to help combat the situation. An opinion resounded and supported by an Audit Commission Report published on Wednesday.