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Six out of ten (61%) people living in the south east of England are worried about the cost of heating their home this winter, according to new poll.

The YouGov survey, which was commissioned by the National Housing Federation, also found that 60% of people responsible for the cost of heating their home here have cut down on their home heating more than they would like in the past year in order to reduce costs.

Almost a quarter (24%) of those surveyed in the south east said they spend more than 10% of their monthly income on gas and electricity bills.

Thousands of prepay meter customers throughout the region, with an average household income of just £13,500, are among the hardest hit by the economic downturn. 73% of people surveyed in the south east, said that these more vulnerable customers should not have to pay for their meters to be installed and maintained.

British Gas has heaped further misery on its 1m prepay customers by charging them a premium of up to £40 a year more for gas than those paying their bills quarterly. The National Housing Federation poll found just 4% here thought the energy regulator Ofgem was doing a good job of protecting vulnerable customers, with 47% saying it had done a poor one.

British Gas’ competitors have all scrapped their unpopular prepay surcharges following criticism from customers, campaigners and politicians over rip off prices.

Warren Finney, south east regional manager for National Housing Federation said: "British Gas should stop discriminating against some of its poorest customers by scrapping its hugely unpopular prepay premium and starting to charge them the same as its quarterly billed customers.

“The findings of our poll are truly shocking. It indicates that, as the recession continues to bite, up to seven million households are in fuel poverty and that huge numbers of vulnerable people will go cold this winter because they can’t afford to heat their homes.

“The spiralling cost of energy and the impact of the downturn mean heating our homes has become a luxury rather than a basic human necessity – particularly for the elderly, low paid and unemployed.

“The survey also shows that the overwhelming majority of people think that prepayment meter customers pay too much for their energy and that Ofgem has simply failed in its duty to protect vulnerable customers.”