MORE than one in 10 households are in fuel poverty, with 2.5 families million in England living below the breadline so they can heat their homes.

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed that in 2015 the average gap between the bills that fuel-poor households faced and what they could afford to pay was more than £350.

And more than a fifth of private rental households face an average £410 shortfall to pay their bills.

National Energy Action antipoverty charity director Peter Smith said it was “hugely disappointing” to see fuel poverty in England continue to rise.

He said: “Sadly we think cold homes needlessly kill up to 80 people per day in the winter months. This is not acceptable in the fifth largest economy in the world.”

Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey said: “During the election campaign Theresa May promised an energy price cap, but now it’s nowhere to be seen. Austerity has failed and May has shown herself to be too weak to deliver. Labour stands ready with a plan to reduce bills and alleviate fuel poverty.”