Martin Lewis sends warning as campaign urging millions not to pay energy bills approaches 100,000 followers

Martin Lewis has issued a warning as almost 100,000 people vow not to pay their energy bills amid soaring prices.

The Money Saving Expert, 50, made the comments when asked if he still feared civil unrest in response to rising prices. Watch below:

In a recent interview on ITV's Peston, he said the UK is approaching a place similar to the atmosphere that led to the poll tax riots in 1990.

The clip was subsequently reposted to social media with one TikTok user captioning it: "Enough is enough! no more greed at our expense."

Lewis referred to a group of people who are planning to refuse to pay their energy bills from October 1, Don't Pay, which was around 5,000 strong at the time of the July 20 interview.

However, at the time of writing, that number has increased to close to 100,000.

The Don't Pay movement's aim is simple: "We demand the govt scrap the energy price rises and deliver affordable energy for all. We will build a million pledges and by Oct 1st if the govt and energy companies fail to act we will cancel our direct debits."

It's a simple idea: We demand the govt scrap the energy price rises and deliver affordable energy for all. We will build a million pledges and by Oct 1st if the govt and energy companies fail to act we will cancel our direct debits. Read more here: https://t.co/NPF8VQXcHD pic.twitter.com/E4gPenIXiL

— Don't Pay. (@dontpayuk) June 18, 2022

As it stands, energy bills are set to rise yet again in October, potentially by a staggering 65 percent.

This means that if you are currently paying £100 a month for your energy, you could pay up to £165 from this October.

The hike comes after the rise of 54 percent earlier this year, which when combined with the increase in October, will force some to pay twice as much for their energy bills.

Lewis said: "The big growth that I'm seeing is an increasing number of people calling for a non-payment of energy bills process. Effectively a consumer strike on energy bills.

"Many people are spontaneously calling for that. We are getting close to a poll tax moment."

The energy-saving expert then said that as campaigns like Don't Pay grow, the government needs to take action.

"We need the government to get a handle on [energy bills], because once it starts becoming socially acceptable not to pay energy bills, people will stop paying energy bills and you're not going to cut everyone off."

While the Don't Pay doesn't have a petition per se, it does have a mailing list where it is keeping supporters up-to-date on the movement's plan.

Don't Pay is also encouraging people to sign up as activists to inspire others to make the vow, and there are currently 14,958 people signed up.