Money saving expert Martin Lewis has shared a number of tips on keeping warm as some people across the UK become "so desperate" for help amid soaring energy bills. He says he would usually have advice on how to save money on bills, but the cost of living crisis enveloping the country has left him with no alternatives.
The energy price cap has risen to £1,971, a 54% jump, adding hundreds of pounds to energy costs and experts have predicted that the cap could rise a further £600 in October, taking the average bill to £2,571. The Government has been criticised over its support measures announced in chancellor Rishi Sunak's Spring statement, as millions of households are forced into financial difficulty.
Mr Lewis, who is now a Good Morning Britain presenter, said people can wear heated USB gloves, hand warmers, an electric gilet or an electric blanket to stay warm without turning the heater on, reports LincolnshireLive. He said: "I felt sad asking my team to put this together, but my email bag is full of folk so desperate they can't put the heat on, I wanted to try some help. Pls share."
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He stated in his guide that it costs only £14 to buy a cheap electric blanket which, in turn, costs 3p an hour to run, even in today's climate of rising costs. That is equivalent to a cost per week of £1.37 if used for seven hours a day. An electric gilet, basically a heated jacket, would cost £46 to buy and just 4p per week to run, while USB gloves would cost 4p per week to run and just £5 to buy.
"Full cost of living survival guide coming soon," he added. "This is a guide I really wish we needn’t be publishing. The reason I asked Sarah and the team to put this together is due to my overflowing e-mail bag of desperation from people who can’t afford their energy bills. So don’t see this as an ‘MSE or Martin says you should do this’.
"It's more that we’re trying to help provide some options and information for those that may need to drastically cut down on energy usage due to financial desperation and some help for others who may want to do it out of a commitment to green issues."
Another consumer expert Jack Monroe reached out to Martin Lewis for the guide, adding: "Thankyou for your vital and heartbreaking service, friend. I know this is taking a hell of a toll on you, please please take care of yourself out there. We need you now more than ever, but we need you well and fit for what’s to come."
Martin responded: "What lovely words - thanks Jack. Yes I'm feeling the pressure, but that's trivial compared to the trauma many are facing being unable to afford to live."
Martin's loyal legion of followers praised the tips, but expressed their disbelief that they were necessary in the world's 5th largest economy (the UK).
