Number of households in electricity arrears drops to pre-energy crisis levels

Just one in ten households are in arrears on their electricity bills, but gas debt is much more common

Twenty-two per cent of gas customers, 153,161 households, were in arrears for the fourth quarter of 2023. Picture: Getty

The number of households in arrears on energy bills has fallen, according to figures from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).

Just over one in ten households – 243,644, or 11 per cent – were in electricity arrears in the fourth quarter of 2023. This was about 31,000 fewer than the third quarter.

Twenty-two per cent of gas customers, 153,161 households, were in arrears for the same period – almost 7,000 fewer than the ...