THE British public is pointing the finger at Donald Trump and the energy industry for soaring energy bills, as millions cut back on heating, food and travel.

Research by the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, released today, shows 76 per cent hold the US president responsible, while 65 per cent also blame the energy industry.

Some 63 per cent agreed that the increase in energy bills set to hit households amounts to a “Trump Tax.”

In total, 83 per cent of the public are concerned about energy bills and 44 per cent say they would be unable to afford the expected £228 annual increase from July 1.

While 73 per cent want targeted support for households and 67 per cent want help for all households, the public is also looking for longer-term solutions.

The war in Iran has prompted 35 per cent of adults to take a greater interest in home energy technology, with solar panels the most supported option, followed by insulation, plug-in solar and heat pumps.

But with 60 per cent saying such options are out of financial reach, 71 per cent have called for more grants for insulation and 68 per cent for more financial support for solar panels and heat pumps.

Across all parties, voters back the windfall tax on energy firms, and almost half want it extended to more companies.

Coalition co-ordinator Simon Francis said that millions of households are already cutting back on essentials and the worst of the bill rises are still to come.

“Against the backdrop of the looming Trump Tax on energy bills, scrapping the Energy Profits Levy would be not just economically wrong but politically tone deaf,” he said.

“Voters back keeping it by more than two to one and ministers should be listening to that consensus rather than to the oil and gas lobbyists pushing for a tax break at precisely the moment support for households is needed the most.”

Uplift deputy director Robert Palmer said that people know they are being hit with a “Trump Tax,” saying: “Our dependence on fossil fuels is making all of us poorer.

“All except for the oil and gas bosses and their shareholders who once again are set to cash in at our expense.

“The government needs to help people who want to upgrade their homes and have more control of their energy bills.”

“Voters back keeping it by more than two to one and ministers should be listening to that consensus rather than to the oil and gas lobbyists pushing for a tax break at precisely the moment support for households is needed the most.”