Hundreds of families in Northern Ireland are beginning to feel a “real sense of despair” as the threat of further hikes of up to 40% in gas and electricity bills creeps ever closer.

The warning comes after household budgets — which have been stretched to the limit in recent months as the cost of groceries and fuel hit record highs — seem poised to suffer another savage blow.

Pat Austin, who heads up the consumer group National Energy Action Northern Ireland, today called on the Government to intervene and prevent even more hardship — before the fuel poverty death toll also begins to rocket.

“I think what we need to do is seriously grasp this issue,” she said.

“[Social Development Minister] Margaret Ritchie has called a task force and we are waiting on the outcome of that task force.

“It’s required, it’s needed and urgent action really needs to start hitting people’s doorsteps now.

“There’s a real sense of despair for people out there,” she added.

Gas companies have warned that prices could rise again by as much as 40%, due to an increase in the cost of supplies.

Higher electricity bills are also on the way, with Northern Ireland Electricity claiming that wholesale prices have doubled over the last 12 months.

Ms Austin, who was speaking on BBC Good Morning Ulster, said that the Executive’s decision to abandon yesterday’s scheduled meeting was “scandalous”, adding that now is the time for action.

“We’re calling for an urgent intervention from government and an urgent meeting of the Executive to look and consider the task force recommendations which Margaret Ritchie has called to look at what and see what we can do for people this winter and into the future,” she said.

“People need to get get ready for winter. We’re not going to underestimate the impact this is having on people.

“Over 2,000 people die each year because of fuel poverty. We have already got a problem which we are just building and building upon.”