THE RUSSIAN invasion of Ukraine is expected to increase fuel costs and drive more families into energy poverty, according to a Shropshire charity.

Keep Shropshire Warm is an energy advice service provided by the charity, Marches Energy Agency (MEA) and they work very closely with Shropshire Council.

Energy prices had already increased due to inflation and the green levies, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine is expected to put a strain on north Shropshire families financially.

This has come at a time when many are struggling with an increase in food prices.

Claire Woolley, from MEA, said: "Although it’s very early in the conflict and the full impacts remain to be seen, we do expect energy costs to continue to rise, and for more households to be pushed in to fuel poverty.

"With the energy price cap already set to rise from £1,277 to £1,971 this April, there is now speculation of a further increase to above £3,000 in October 2022.

"For many in north Shropshire, this will be an additional financial strain causing worry and threatening quality of life.

"Even before the cost-of-living crisis, local people were having to choose between heating or eating.

"With prices set to rise even higher, some will struggle to do either."

The UK does only receive some of its natural gas from Russia, but MEA said it highlights serious problems with the UK's energy security even though the country is not reliant on Russian fossil fuels.

Ms Woolley added: "From a purely energy-related standpoint, the situation in Ukraine highlights a long-term issue for the UK, a lack of domestic energy security.

"Although we import little of our gas supply directly from Russia, our domestic energy generation has fallen over recent decades, leaving the country more vulnerable to fluctuations in the global market."

Some people, including former North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson, have supported fracking to ease energy costs faced by consumers.

However, Ms Woolley opposed resorting to fossil fuels and advocated use of renewables, citing climate change.

She said: "We advocate for moving quickly and fully away from fossil fuels while ensuring the most vulnerable members of our communities are properly supported and ensuring a just transition.

"We believe that the long-term solution to this is to invest heavily in renewable energy production.

"Not only does this provide better domestic energy security and insulate against price hikes

"It is also an essential step towards addressing our climate and ecological emergency."

If you or someone you know is worried about staying warm you can call 0800 112 3743 or email advice@mea.org.uk