According to a poll for the i paper, more than 1.7 million households are thinking about or have already cancelled direct debits to energy suppliers this autumn. It comes as bills are expected to rise to £3,500, the paper adds, with energy firms urged not to chase those who cannot pay. Charity Age UK has warned that there could be a record number of pensioner deaths this winter due to rising heating costs and NHS pressures and has urged the government to offer “significant” help.