Cash-strapped households hit with outrageous demands from energy firms to hike their monthly direct debit are being urged to challenge their bills. Millions of people are bracing themselves for higher gas and electricity bills this winter following the recent round of price increases. The average energy bill is now £1,286. But many readers say their monthly direct debits have been increased by far more than the hike in energy bills, and without any proper explanation.

It follows an emergency energy summit held by the Government this week with energy suppliers, when they were told to write to millions of customers telling them the cheapest way to pay bills, which will typically be by direct debit. But people who pay this way have been badly hit by the price rises. Aviva Thwaites, 86, has been told by Scottish Power her monthly direct debit must increase from...Read more here---> How to block an energy bill hike if your direct debit starts to rise | This is Money