DOZENS of neighbourhoods in Cheshire East and West are set to be worst impacted by the energy crisis when the price cap rises in October, new analysis suggests.

Climate charity Friends of the Earth said there is ‘no downplaying’ the catastrophic energy disaster facing millions of people this winter if bills rise as expected without Government intervention.

Analysis by Friends of the Earth shows 35 out of 234 neighbourhoods in Cheshire East are at greatest risk of financial hardship when the price cap rises in October.

It means 15 per cent of neighbourhoods in the area are among the worst impacted across England and Wales.

In Cheshire West and Chester, 44 out of 212 neighbourhoods are at greater risk – 21 per cent.

Nationally, nearly 9,000 areas have been classed as ‘energy crisis hotspots’.

Friends of the Earth analysed smart meters and unmetered fuel consumption to determine areas where energy use is above normal levels.

It says neighbourhoods with above-average costs and lower than average household incomes are defined as ‘energy crisis hotspots’.

Cornwall Insight predicts that after the price cap has risen in October, an average household will pay bills of more than £3,600 per year, significantly more than double the £1,400 figure last October.

From January, this is predicted to further increase to £4,300 and the consultancy group expects bills to remain high throughout 2023.

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.

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.

A BEIS spokesperson said: "We are investing £6.6 billion in this parliament to improve energy efficiency as part of the Government’s 'Help to Heat' programme, which is helping make households across the country cheaper to heat."