A major energy firm is giving out free electric blankets to customers to keep warm

Octopus Energy is giving out free electric blankets to customers who are struggling to pay for their bills as electricity prices soar. 

On April 1st, the UK’s energy price cap rose by an unprecedented 54%, adding an extra £693 to the average household’s annual electricity bill.

And to make matters worse, this price increase has coincided with a spike in inflation, which has driven up the cost of food, clothing and fuel. 

As a result of these numerous price increases, millions of households across the UK are struggling to stay afloat, with many been forced to choose between heating and food.

@aminhasani / Unsplash

Little help has been put on the table by both the government and energy suppliers, with Rishi Sunak last month coming under fire for his £350 ‘loan’ in response to the crisis.

But now, one energy supplier has taken a different approach to easing the pressure for struggling customers with free electric blankets.

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Octopus Energy has announced that it will be sending free electric blankets to 5,000 of its most vulnerable customers in an attempt to help keep their energy bills as low as possible.

According to Uswitch, it would cost just 28p to use an electric blanket for an hour a night – over a week that would cost you £1.96.

The blankets are currently been sold on Amazon for around £40. 

Speaking on LBC radio, Octopus chief executive Greg Jackson said there was ‘no hiding’ the fact that energy costs have risen ‘dramatically’ and that the cost of living crisis is ‘very real’.

He said: “Where people do their very best, companies like ours will work with them to get payment plans in place, to provide some assistance, to work with them on their whole income and expenditure.”

Octopus customers who would like an electric blanket have been told to request one via the company’s online assistance tool, although it warns that ‘stocks are very low’ already and that those most in need will be prioritised.

To see if you’re applicable for a free blanket and to see what else Octopus is doing to help its customers, click here.