Almost a quarter of Reading are set to become a ‘crisis hotspots’ when the energy price cap rises in October, data suggests.

Analysis by Friends of the Earth shows 20 out of 97 neighbourhoods will be among those worst impacted as bills are predicted to hit £4,300 a year, according to the estimates of consultancy group Cornwall Insights.

Steve Mcloughlin’s 90-year-old mother, from Woodley, is one resident facing financial difficulties,

Her energy bills have already more than doubled to £200 a month despite living alone.

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“I’m sure that there’s going to be thousands and thousands of people in the same situation. It’s a horrible situation for a lot of people,” said Steve, 64, from Lower Earley.

“I’m shocked to be honest, I’m a little bit angry because I know that there are a problem with gas prices worldwide and I know that the wholesale price has gone up, but I was talking to a friend of mine from abroad and he said he’s not noticed a change at all.

“I don’t think they’re having the same problems we are on mainland Europe.”

France has capped increase on electric bills at four per cent, aided by the Government’s 80 per cent stake in EDF.

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Steve described his elderly mother as vulnerable, meaning she has to pay for care, and said she relies heavily on heating in the winter due to her age.

“She lives on her own she’s basically stuck in the house. She suffers from mobility problems.

“She also has to pay for care so it’s going to impact her a fair bit as well.”

Steve, his partner and stepdaughter pay £110 a month for their energy and asked their provider to quote a fixed tariff.

Even with rates set to rise, they were shocked to see Octopus Energy offer a £5,581 bill.

Energy regulator Ofgem is due to announce the new price cap – which will come into effect at the start of October – on Friday, August 26.

At present, there are 3,100 homes that require cavity wall insulation and 2,960 that need loft insulation in Reading, exacerbating the issue.

Friends of the Earth has urged the Government to provide meaningful intervention before the autumn price cap rise instead of the "woeful and poorly targeted cash handouts" announced in April.

Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at the charity, said the Government must "beef up its package of emergency financial support" and protect the most vulnerable to soaring price rises.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said it is providing £37 billion worth of support to help households during the cost-of-living crisis.