Residents hit out at 'ridiculous' energy bill rise

People living on a city housing estate have hit out at the "ridiculous" cost of heating their homes using their communal energy network.

Residents on the Byker Estate in Newcastle are supplied through a district heating system, which provides unlimited heating and hot water for a fixed fee.

Roberta Davidson, who lives in Low Fold, said she "couldn't believe it" when her bill jumped from £27 to £53 per week this year as it is not protected by the energy price cap.

Newcastle City Council said the increase was caused by the government ending the Energy Bills Discount Scheme but said residents could choose to be disconnected from the district heating system.

But Ms Davidson said she was struggling to pay the gas bill as well as her £139 monthly electricity bill and could not afford to have a boiler fitted.

"We are stuck paying a lot of money either way. I know one person who has changed and got an electric boiler put in, but it cost them £5,500," the 66-year-old told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"It's ridiculous. All I use my heating for is hot water to wash my dishes and to heat the radiators. I have an electric shower."

Newcastle City Council said the government's Energy Bill Discount Scheme had allowed it to reduce the cost of the system but when the scheme ended in March, it led to a price increase.

It said the government was working on proposals that would see heat network customers receive greater protections than they currently receive, "at a level comparable" to those given to gas and electricity customers.

"Installing their own heat/hot water package also gives the property owner the flexibility of choosing their own energy supplier and tariff," a council spokesperson said.

"We will continue to work alongside Karbon Homes, the registered provider who manages all housing within the Byker estate, to ensure that any new proposals or changes to the system or how it is billed are fully communicated with all residents."

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].