Energy price rises send debt charity calls soaring Barely a day goes by without the bad news of another energy price increase. Price rises, just as temperatures start to drop, means people will see their bills this winter soar. Households are finding it really difficult to cope with the increases in cost of living. ScottishPower became the latest provider to announce gas and electricity price hikes on Thursday. The group said it will raise gas tariffs by 8.5pc and electricity prices by 9pc on average from December 6, adding another £113 to the typical annual dual fuel bill. ScottishPower is the fourth of the "big six" suppliers to reveal energy price increases so far this month, following British Gas, SSE and npower. British Gas raised prices by 9.2pc, SSE by 8.2pc and npower announced an increase of 10.4pc. Separate research has shown that millions of families were falling behind with utility bill payments even before the price increases and colder weather take their toll. The Debt Advisory Centre (DAC) said more than 4.5m people in the UK said they are in arrears, with 8pc owing money on gas and electricity payments. Around 9pc said they were behind with water bill payments. The number of people in gas and electricity arrears has doubled since March 2013 and the DAC said more people were likely to fall behind with payments over the next five months. "It's very worrying that such a large number of people are struggling with their bills already," said Ian Williams of the DAC. The onset of winter and increases of up to 10pc in gas and electricity bills are likely to drag even more people into debt, and make problems worse for those who are already struggling to pay for gas and electricity.