Over 100 neighbourhoods in County Durham are set to be worst-hit by the energy crisis when the price cap rises in October, a study has revealed.

Within those “hotspot” neighbourhoods, 14,540 houses are in need of cavity wall insulation, while 15,260 houses are in need of loft insulation.

The study, carried out by charity Friends of the Earth shows that 111 of 325 neighbourhoods in County Durham are at greatest risk of financial hardship when the price cap rises in October.

A staggering 34% of neighbourhoods in the area are among the worst impacted across England and Wales.

County Durham is the 5th worst-affected local authority in the UK and nationally, 9,000 areas have been classed as “energy crisis hotspots.”

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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 income are defined as energy crisis hotspots.

The study also revealed the average energy bill in energy crisis hotspot neighbourhoods before and after the price cap rise in October.

Households in these neighbourhoods can expect to pay £943 more on average after the price rise increase in October.

Friends of the Earth has urged the Government to provide meaningful intervention before the autumn price cap, 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.

He added: "The highest priority of all is fixing the UK’s leaky, inefficient housing stock, otherwise cash handouts will be required year on year.

"By rolling out a free programme of street-by-street energy efficiency measures and prioritising the most in-need neighbourhoods, we can help to bring bills down quickly, make homes warmer and slash Earth-warming emissions at the same time."

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