SOUTHAMPTON households saw their largest rise in electricity usage for eight years in 2020 as Covid-19 forced people inside.

Data from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has shown that in the year the pandemic began, electricity consumption in the city went up by 5% in people’s homes compared to the previous year.

During 2020, 400 gigawatt hours of electricity were consumed by domestic metres in the city, compared to 380 the year before.

This was the largest change since comparable records began in 2012.

Across Britain the trend continued as electricity use by homes rose by 5.6% in a year which saw usage in businesses drop 11.1% as people worked home.

It means overall electricity use dropped by 4.8% – the largest fall on record.

The figures come as fears have been raised over the soaring cost of energy bills which is being driven by rising gas prices as work from home advice has been reintroduced.

But the city council’s environment boss, Cllr Steve Galton, said: “We are very aware of the challenges that many of our residents face with regards to rising energy prices.”

This comes as Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves is calling on the Government to remove VAT on domestic gas and electricity bills through the winter months to help families weather the storm.

Cllr Galton added: “In Autumn last year, we re-launched our Southampton Healthy Homes campaign in partnership with the Environment Centre, and this service is already helping many people across the city.

“Southampton Healthy Homes is a free service available to all Southampton residents looking for tips and advice on how they can keep their homes warm, reduce their utility bills and lower their carbon emissions. The service can help identify if residents are eligible for grants to help with insulation, modern heating systems and other measures to make their property more energy efficient.

“Furthermore, we are continuing to share advice and resources with council tenants, and encouraging people to check their eligibility for schemes like £140 Warm Home Discount.”

A government spokesperson added that vulnerable households are being supported by initiatives such as the warm home discount, as well as winter fuel payments, and cold weather payments.