The cost of cold
Age UK is campaigning to make sure older people can afford their energy bills. No one should have to choose whether to heat or eat.
Sky high energy bills are having serious consequences for older people. Many need to keep their heating on or run medical equipment for their health but we’re hearing from thousands, like Raymond and Geraldine, who are simply too scared of the high costs if they do.
Many tell us that there is simply nothing left to cut back on.
No one should be forced to ration heating and food, or rack up huge debts using essential, and sometime life-saving, medical equipment like a dialysis machine.
Read our report on tackling the cost of living crisis for older people
I’m turning all radiators off in rooms I don’t use. I’m terminally ill and feel the cold but can’t afford the heating.
I have arthritis which is worse when it is cold. I will have to keep my heating low now. Already I wear gloves on my hands and a heat pack inside my leggings to help my back.
Older people need support in the long-term
The Government must act to ensure that people of all ages on low and modest incomes get help to meet rising energy costs now and into the future.
Homes need to be more energy efficient
This can be done by improving the energy efficiency of homes, alongside the social tariff for energy.
It is essential the Government increases household energy efficiency grants for those on the lowest incomes, to help provide heat pumps and insulation to those in the coldest homes. This would help lower bills, reduce the burden on the NHS, and protect people against ongoing high bills.
Our analysis shows that households with the least energy efficient homes pay a staggering 124% more on their energy bills. Older people in the lowest bands are paying more than double the cost, often because they simply cannot afford to insulate their homes.
Disabled people, carers and older people struggling with bills need discounted energy
The Government should provide a discounted energy deal (or ‘social energy tariff’) that is 50% cheaper than a standard bill for disabled people, carers and those on low incomes and facing fuel poverty.
This could help around 10 million households have more affordable energy bills and keep themselves warm and well.
A discounted energy deal should:
- be funded by the Government
- be more affordable – it should set at half the cost of the typical energy bill
- help those who have high energy needs - it must support disabled people and carers
- not leave people without support - those on low incomes and at risk of fuel poverty should get the deal even if they aren’t on means tested benefits.
- have automatic enrolment for eligible households so no one misses out.
- sit alongside warm home discount and other energy support.
- help everyone struggling with their energy bills regardless of who their supplier is, how energy is paid for and what type of fuel is used to heat the home.
Read our briefing to Parliament on why we need a social tariff
Pre-payment meters
Many older people also face serious issues using energy because they are stuck on pre-payment meters (PPMs) which risk them losing their power and heating when they run out of money.
85% of older households on PPMs were living in poverty and/or in receipt of income-related benefits. They should be receiving support, not be on PPMs which could risk their health.
PPMs force older people on lower incomes to disconnect their supply when they run out of money, so there should be a pre-payment amnesty to give all households with a PPM the opportunity to have it uninstalled. Switching customers against their will to a PPM should also be permanently banned. Age UK successfully campaigned to stop PPMs being forcibly installed in the homes of those aged 75+.
What is Age UK calling for?
Sky high energy bills are having serious consequences for older people. Many need to keep their heating on or run medical equipment for their health but we’re hearing from thousands, like Raymond and Geraldine, who are simply too scared of the high costs if they do.
- The introduction of a government funded social tariff on energy bills, providing a 50% discount for disabled people, carers and those on low incomes and facing fuel poverty.
- Offering a prepayment meter (PPM) amnesty to give all households with a PPM the opportunity to have it uninstalled and to receive adequate compensation. And permanently ban switching customers to a prepayment meter under warrant and switching smart meters to PPM mode.
- Extra support over the winter to make sure that older people’s incomes and bills add up.
- Improve funding for energy efficiency improvements to housing stock, in particular targeted towards lower income households.
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