"Government intervention is essential."

That is the view of councillors for some of Great Yarmouth's most deprived areas who have shared their concerns on further fuel price hikes.

The Resolution Foundation, a national think tank has said the number of families spending at least 10pc of their budgets on energy bills is set to triple after the new energy price cap comes into effect in April.

In Great Yarmouth, former MP and current councillor for Nelson Ward Tony Wright said: "Changes in fuel supply and costs have already hit many of our residents and, with the impending increases from April, will create even more poverty, forcing many to heat or eat.

"This along with other consumer products increasing with inflation of over 5pc will undoubtedly increase the problems they already face."

Carrie Talbot, councillor for Central and Northgate Ward, said: "This rise in fuel prices is going to leave so many people either hungry or cold potentially both.

"In modern society we should not have individuals choosing to either go hungry or be cold.

"It has been reported in previous years that around the country the elderly have died due to complications from being cold as they could not afford to heat their homes.

"I find it absolutely abhorrent that Westminster are not up in arms about this.

"Their job is to serve the people and at the moment they are failing dismally.

"I would reiterate as I did before, please if you have access to the internet look up the the Warm Home Discount that will either give you money off your bill or credit on your meter depending on your benefits and income."

Michael Jeal, Nelson Ward councillor, said: "People in Nelson Ward are already in the seven most deprived areas in the country and don't need this extra burden."

Kerry Robinson-Payne, also a councillor for Nelson Ward, said: "Whilst so many of our residents have already experienced a drop in their income and are struggling to make ends meet, we expect things to get a whole lot worse for these residents.

"It's worse than Victorian times.

"Government intervention is essential."

On Monday, it was announced that the government were looking into how to tackle the effect rising fuel prices will have on many people and families.

In November, more than 100 people attended an open day at Age Connected centre on Regent Street to get advice about how to say warm and healthy during winter.