ENERGY customers with major companies have seen their direct debits double since the price rise despite the cap being half that.

Households who are with British Gas, Octopus Energy and Shell Energy have been hit, according to the Money Saving Expert website.

The website, founded by Martin Lewis, found that at least 30 per cent of customers with those companies, who were in credit and on a price-capped tariff, reported their direct debits increasing.

Across all companies, 25 per cent of customers in this situation said their direct debits had doubled or more.

Mr Lewis said: “For months I’ve heard from people shocked to be told their direct debits are increasing two or threefold.”

An Ofgem spokesperson said: “We regularly engage with all domestic suppliers to ensure they are billing accurately and treating customers fairly.”

ScottishPower boss Keith Anderson called on the government to take urgent action by July to help the poorest households months before energy bills rise by nearly another £1,000 in winter.

He said: “Given what’s going to happen in October, we think that urgent action is required to put in place a mechanism to support customers through this period.”

Mr Anderson called for “targeted” support for the most vulnerable customers, including those with pre-payment meters, those on universal credit, or those eligible for the warm home discount.

He said that the government’s plan to give each household £200 towards their energy bill, a sum that will need to be paid back, would be insufficient.

The government said that it has delivered a £22 billion package of support, including rebates and energy bill reductions, and is urging energy companies to support their customers with the impact of high global gas prices.