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Energy Price Cap Rise ‘Double Whammy’ for Pensioners
23 August 2024
Age Scotland is calling on the UK Government to reverse course on their plan to remove the Winter Fuel Payment from 900,000 pensioners in Scotland following the 10% increase to the energy price cap announced by Ofgem.
The charity is warning that the cost of energy this autumn and winter will be unmanageable to the hundreds of thousands of pensioners living in fuel poverty but not entitled to Pension Credit, and of a "double whammy" as bills go up but the money to help pay for them is removed completely.
They fear more older people will find themselves living in cold homes for longer periods of time this winter, eat fewer hot meals and affect their health.
Age Scotland's chief executive, Katherine Crawford said:
"This significant rise in energy costs ahead of winter is the last thing households across the country need, but pensioners are hit twice as the State Pension linked Winter Fuel Payment is taken away from them by the UK Government. This double whammy is going to cause serious problems for hundreds of thousands of older households living in fuel poverty as their bills go up and the money they expected to help meet some of their energy costs stops.
"Heading into winter with a 10% rise in the cost of energy will be unmanageable to huge numbers of pensioners. More and more will be living in cold homes for longer periods of the day, eating fewer hot meals and in poorer health. Fuel poverty figures for pensioners had doubled to around 4 in 10, despite the hundreds of pounds they were receiving through the Winter Fuel Payment and extra cost of living support. What might happen next is unthinkable.
"There is no doubt that the line for government financial support is far too low, and there is barely any time to get enough people missing out on Pension Credit to claim it. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of who really needs help to manage this winter and beyond.
"If there was ever a moment for the UK Government to think again and reverse course, it is now."
Age Scotland's helpline offers free benefit checks and can identify if someone is entitled to Pension Credit, which would qualify them for a Winter Fuel Payment this year. Older people can call for a check on 0800 12 44 222 or via the charity's online benefits calculator at www.age.scot/benefitscalculator
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Notes to Editors:
Age Scotland's helpline offers benefit and social security checks for older people and can help establish if someone is entitled to Pension Credit. Call on 0800 12 44 222 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm)
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