ALMOST 100 neighbourhoods in Dudley are set to be worst impacted by the energy crisis when the price cap rises in October, new analysis suggests.

Analysis by Friends of the Earth shows 87 out of 201 neighbourhoods in Dudley are at greatest risk of financial hardship when the price cap rises in October.

It means 43 per cent of neighbourhoods in the area are among the worst impacted across England and Wales.

Climate charity Friends of the Earth analysed smart meters and unmetered fuel consumption to determine areas where energy use is above normal levels.

It says neighbourhoods with above-average costs and lower than average household income are defined as energy crisis hotspots. Nationally, nearly 9,000 areas have been classed as such.

Cornwall Insights predicts that after the price cap has risen in October, an average household will pay bills of £3,600-plus per year, significantly more than double last October’s £1,400 figure.

From January, this is predicted to increase to £4,300 and the consultancy group expects bills to remain high in 2023.

Energy regulator Ofgem is due to announce the new price cap – which will come into effect at the start of October – on Friday August 26.

Friends of the Earth has urged the Government to provide meaningful intervention before the autumn price cap rise instead of "poorly targeted cash handouts" announced in April.

Mike Childs, the charity’s head of science, policy and research, said the Government must "beef up its package of emergency financial support" and he called for houses to be more effectively insulated to protect consumers against future price hikes and cut the amount of energy required to heat homes in winter.

In Dudley, 9,930 homes require cavity wall insulation and 12,350 need loft insulation.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said it is providing £37 billion in support to help households during the cost-of-living crisis.