RESIDENTS in Basingstoke have said they are struggling to pay to top up their electric and gas meters.

The news comes as Citizens Advice has called for a ban on energy companies forcing customers onto prepayment meters when they are struggling to pay bills.

An estimated 3.2 million people across Britain ran out of credit on their prepayment meter last year, which is the equivalent of one every 10 seconds because they could not afford to top it up, Citizens Advice has revealed.

The advisory service has said it saw more people who were unable to top up their prepayment meter in 2022 than in the last 10 years combined. This breaks the charity’s predictions for the number of householders it would help as the cost-of-living crisis took hold.

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Since then the Gazette took to Facebook to ask residents if they are facing the same struggles that many are across the country. 

Many took to the post to say they were struggling, Michelle Lockhart posted: "10 pounds a day for gas on a pay as u go."

Stephanie Williams said she finds herself in a similar position, with it costing her £45 a week just to pay for her gas.

Meanwhile, Denise Mullins is forking out £145 on gas and £140 on electric bills and has been doing so since January this year.

Other residents have been left worried at how fast the metres use up the money they have paid to top up.

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Daniel Tessier posted: "I put in £50 and it went in 4 days and it’s just me in my flat."

Kieran Peter finds himself in a similar position. He said: "Yes. The meters are just eating it."

On top of this, more than two million people were being disconnected at least once a month and 19 per cent of those cut off in the past year then spent at least 24 hours without gas or electricity, leaving them unable to turn the heating on or cook a hot meal.

Citizens Advice, the consumer watchdog for the energy market, has said it was particularly concerned about disabled people and those living with long-term health conditions.