Cost of Living

Tracker data: Who is to blame for the high cost of energy bills?

09 November 2023

The public primarily blame the Russia-Ukraine war, the UK government, and energy companies for high energy bills, with slight changes since Autumn 2022. More of the public blame energy companies in 2023 compared to 2022, and a steady decline in blame attributed to the Russia-Ukraine war.

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The latest from the Cost of Living timeline:

Commentary & Analysis 29th November 2025

The Autumn Budget and public opinion – bills, taxes, and more

The Autumn Budget is out. Here’s a preview of what the tracker reveals about what people blame for the cost of energy bills, taxing the super rich, and who pays for net zero.

Read the full piece The Autumn Budget and public opinion – bills, taxes, and more

Commentary & Analysis 31st August 2024

Labour’s energy policies are popular, but concerns around energy costs are growing again

Read the full piece Labour’s energy policies are popular, but concerns around energy costs are growing again

Climate Barometer Tracker 18th May 2024

Tracker data: The public blames government and the energy system (not green initiatives) for high bills

The public feels that the UK government’s role in high energy bills comes from roughly two areas: one is a failure reform energy market, not transitioning to renewable energy faster, allowing the UK to become too dependent on gas; the second is in privatising energy companies and only looking after the interests of big energy companies. Overall it appears that people understand that the energy system is not working and green initiatives are far from people’s minds on this issue.

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