Leading a Parliamentary debate on this issue, he said figures reveal 12.7 per cent of households in the East of England are in fuel poverty – but in some of the more isolated, rural areas of South West Norfolk that figure might be twice as high.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Fraser said: "The number of winter deaths in South West Norfolk three years ago was almost double the national average.

"This is appalling and I dread to think where we are three years on.

"I receive letters from distressed constituents who already have to choose between buying food and heating their home adequately. I fear the number will increase drastically come winter when, according to some reports, energy prices could increase by up to 40 per cent."

The Minister for Energy, Malcolm Wicks, admitted the Government-funded Warm Front scheme, which provides heating equipment to those who need it, has seen its budget reduced, but he said more money is being put into reducing carbon emissions through insulation measures instead.

But Mr Fraser said insulation was not helpful if a home did not have proper heating in the first place.

"People in Norfolk are dealt a double blow when it comes to fuel poverty: Energy prices are sky rocketing and the price of fuel at the pump is also increasing steadily. In rural areas like ours, the car is an absolute necessity and not a luxury," he said.

"It is time the Government woke up to the problems faced by those living in rural areas of the country."