Household energy spending rises by 55% over decade

New figures show a sharp rise in UK households' energy spending over the past decade, with an increase of 55% from 2012 compared to 2002.

The Office for National Statistics said the average spending on electricity, gas and other household fuels rose from £69-a-month in 2002 to £106-a-month in 2012 after adjusting for inflation.

ONS statistician Richard Tonkin said the increase came despite households cutting back their energy consumption in recent years, explaining: "This reduction has been more than offset by rises in energy prices."

The poorest fifth of households spent 11% of their disposable income on household energy in 2012, up from 8% in 2002, while the richest fifth spent just 3% in 2012, up from 2% in 2002, the ONS said.