John Battle, MP for Leeds West, is leading an all-party group of MPs asking that the forthcoming Energy Bill includes help for those affected by the situation.

They revealed that low-income households using prepayment meters pay £127 more a year than those paying by direct debit. This gap has increased by 70 per cent in the last two years.

The group called on the government to force suppliers to offer social tariffs so that the fuel poor can heat their homes to a comfortable and safe level.

Former energy minister Mr Battle said: "Not only are the fuel poor likely to be colder, the higher costs they pay for their energy subsidises cheaper energy for the better-off."

His motion argues that Government intervention is necessary because of the inconsistent approach taken by energy companies where wide variation in voluntary efforts to help low-income households has left millions of consumers with little or no access to social tariffs. It states that all companies need to take responsibility.