An eyebrow-raising 38% of people in the UK are concerned about paying heating bills this winter according to a new ComRes poll.

The survey of more than 1000 people commissioned by BBC Radio 5 Live showed a quarter (25%) had put up with “unacceptably cold” homes because of high prices and 63% had cut energy use to lower bills.

It also found more than two thirds (77%) thought the way prices are set is not fair or reasonable and 69% thought the industry should be nationalised.

Speaking to the radio station yesterday, Shadow Energy Secretary Caroline Flint said:  “This is yet more evidence that David Cameron’s failure to get tough with the energy giants has pushed millions of vulnerable households even deeper into fuel poverty.”

The comments follow on from her attacks on the ‘excessive profits’ of energy companies yesterday. Energy Secretary Ed Davey was quick to rebuff her criticism.

The new poll could also suggest where the public’s real priorities lie. Reducing prices was more important than reducing emissions according to 60% of those who responded. A further 69% said they would support more fossil fuel power stations if it prevented power cuts and 67% said they would support them if it lowered energy bills.

Despite this there was still strong support for renewable energy with 61% saying government policies weren’t green enough.

The most popular energy source to have in the local area was solar power with 84% saying they wanted more panels nearby. Wind power also had many supporters with 67% saying they wanted more wind farms near where they live.

Nuclear power and fracking were far less popular getting 31% and 33% respectively.