Over the third quarter of 2005, unexpected bills were the number one reason for Britons raiding their savings, so with cold winter weather already upon us, Birmingham Midshires suggests that Britons may be ill-prepared for the seasonal rise in bills.

According to a recent report, fuel usage in the winter months accounts for 60 to 70% of the total fuel used over the course of a year so with predictions of a particularly cold winter, fuel bills could be one of the bigger-than-usual bills to arrive on doorsteps.

Britons are already raiding savings to pay for unexpected bills in the summer months and the seasonal increase in outgoings has mostly yet to begin.

According to the survey, men and women are equally likely to be raiding their savings to pay for unexpected bills (18% each) but the report has found that it is the young who struggle to anticipate bills. Almost a quarter of twenty somethings (23%) and 29 per cent of those in their thirties were forced to raid savings over the summer months to pay their bills.

Across the regions it was those living in the East of England who were ill prepared for their summer bills with almost half (43%) forced to dip into their savings to cover these expenses.

Those living in the West Midlands may also struggle with winter bills as one quarter (25%) failed to budget for these bills over the third quarter and were forced to raid their savings.

Kevin Mountford, head of savings sales & marketing at Birmingham Midshires, commented, "To avoid being stung by higher winter bills and to protect savings we would advise Britons to revisit their bills from previous years so that they can make the necessary financial provisions for these expenses. The run up to Christmas and the onset of winter is often an expensive time of the year and prior planning can help us keep our savings intact."