The rising cost of heating means that low income families are being forced to choose between heating and eating, according to a new report.
Barnardo's revealed in its Priced Out study that the poorest households are scrimping on heat by up to £450 each year.
It added that families in the bottom ten per cent of incomes in England need to raise around £1,165 just to adequately heat their home.
However, a 'fuel gap' is being created as they are spending just £723.
Anne Marie Carrie, chief executive of Barnardo's, said: "If we’re serious about tackling child poverty then we need to get serious about tackling fuel poverty, too. Families should never have to choose between whether to heat their homes or put food on the table for their children."
The recent cold snap would have put extra pressure on families as they looked to heat their home, with temperatures dipping as low as minus 13 degrees C.