A politician says the long-running series of bans on private rental evictions during the worst of the Covid crisis could be a model for a ban on energy disconnection this autumn and winter.

Julie Gibson, Labour’s spokesperson on economic development on Lancashire county council, says: “What we really need is a moratorium on the threat of disconnection, with assurances given to those struggling that they will not be ‘cut off’ for the duration of the energy crisis. During Covid we saw a moratorium on evictions for those struggling to pay their rent. Surely it is not beyond us as a society to show similar compassion to those struggling with rising energy prices.”

The typical household energy bill is forecast to reach £3,582 a year in October when the price cap – the maximum suppliers can charge customers in England, Scotland and Wales for each unit of energy – next increases. It has been forecast to go up again to £4,266 in January.

Gibson, quoted in the Blackpool Gazette, continues: “We have seen many examples of people cutting back and, in some cases, selling possessions so they have enough money to pay their energy bills.

“If the reported increases do come into force many people will experience terrible fuel poverty with the additional worry that if they cannot afford to pay their bills, they may face their supply being disconnected.

“We need action to deal with the energy price cap but so far, we have seen little, or no, action from the government.“

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng – widely tipped to become Chancellor of the Exchequer if Liz Truss wins the Conservative party leadership and becomes Prime Minister – says households struggling with the rising cost of living in the UK would receive help this winter.

However, in an article in the Daily Mail, he has given few specifics but says a reversal on the increase to National Insurance and the introduction of a temporary moratorium on green energy levies were examples of what could be done.