Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy noticeAreas in the North of England and Scotland are the worst hit by mounting energy debt, new analysis has revealed, as arrears owed nationwide continue to reach record highs. Debt to energy suppliers hit £4.79bn last quarter, the latest data from Ofgem shows, up five per cent on the quarter before. Mr Francis added: “The long-promised energy debt relief scheme must now be brought forward and funded through energy company windfall profits, not added to consumer bills. “Ofgem is considering a range of options to reduce energy debt in the system and we are working with them to understand the impacts of different approaches on consumers.”