People using an typical amount of gas and electricity are currently paying £1,717 under the energy price cap, which is set by the regulator Ofgem.
The cap determines the price paid for each unit of energy used in 27 million homes across Britain. Different rules apply in Northern Ireland.
Derek Likorish, chief executive of energy supplier Utilita, said he had seen a 60% increase in customers asking the company for help.
“Now it’s really cold, that figure is going to be even higher. People are running on empty,” he told the .
“There’s so much anxiety around at the moment, and I have never been so concerned as I am, about this winter with no additional help from the government,” Mr Likorish added.
Although energy prices are still lower than last winter, the jump in electricity and gas costs comes as support handed out in recent years for bills has been scaled back.
The government has also announced that it will start means-testing winter fuel payments, halting them for 10 million pensioners in England and Wales.
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Treasury, said the government knew “families across Britain are still struggling with the cost of living”.
“We know there is more to do,” he added.
As well as energy costs increasing last month, inflation in the services sector, which measures price rises for things such as haircuts, airfares and hotels, ticked up to 5%.
Food price inflation remained unchanged from September, but alcohol and tobacco prices rose sharply.
