Report: More than 16,000 households had power cut off in 2011

As many as 44 homes a day had their electricity cut off last year, according to figures obtained by the Daily Mail.

A new report by the Commission for Energy Regulation due to be released today found that more than 16,000 households had power cut off last year.

The Society of the St Vincent De Paul is renewing its calls to energy suppliers to be more lenient.

The group said many cash-strapped families are having to choose between paying for food, school costs or heating.