FUEL poverty campaigners warned today that the government’s imminent cost-of-living crisis plan will not go far enough and demanded an emergency Budget, as well as a review of the energy sector.

The government’s statement on the issue, expected this week, comes after boss of energy regulator Ofgem, Jonathan Brearley, predicted another energy price cap rise to a staggering £2,800 this autumn.

Campaigners are warning that another massive hike in bills will see the number of homes in fuel poverty surge to 43 per cent by this winter.

The End Fuel Poverty Coalition says thousands of additional winter deaths will take place due to cold homes in 2022/23 as a result.

An emergency Budget should include a 50 per cent windfall tax on energy profits in excess of £20 billion and an annual anti-fuel poverty payment of £1,800 for Britain’s lowest-income households, it said.

A one-off £20,000 home improvement investment in every fuel-poor household still dependent on oil, LPG or coal should also be included, they urged.

The coalition is also calling on the government to launch a fundamental review of Britain’s energy markets, to address concerns which will persist even after the emergency financial measures suggested.

A End Fuel Poverty Coalition statement said: “Previous measures implemented by the government to tackle fuel poverty do not scratch the surface.

“Only an emergency Budget will ensure the measures can be introduced to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.”

Ruth London, from Fuel Poverty Action, said: “With over 40 per cent of UK households in or heading for fuel poverty, we need more than pitiful handouts to prevent a widespread health crisis, miserable children, and more deaths.”