Middle-aged are most financially stretched He said: "There is not going to be an ideal time to move away from low interest rates. Kate Barker, another former MPC member, also warned MPs of problems ahead. She said mortgage borrowers on variable rate loans were "the most exposed" to the risk of rate rises and should prepare for them. The market, however, predicts no rise in the Bank Rate until late 2016. Experts have also warned that increased energy efficiency regulations will contine to push up electricity and gas bills in the next few years. According to industry regulator Ofgem's latest Electricity and Gas Supply Market Indicator report, utility bills have risen on average £300 over the past three years. This is an increase of nearly 30pc in three years, or 10pc a year. Halifax suggested that the middle generation, which often has children living at home, has been hardest hit by household bill increases. On average, 26 per cent of households reported higher spending on fuel and energy bills in the last 12 months, rising to 29% for those in their 40s and 50s. While 8 per cent of households reported an increase in food costs, this rose to 9 per cent for people aged in their 40s. Anthony Warrington director, personal current accounts, at Halifax said: "Those in their 40s and 50s are most likely to have family living at home, which means their food and energy bills are likely to be higher." More than 2,000 people took part in the survey in March.