94% of older people worried about soaring energy bills
Age Scotland is calling for urgent action to support older people on low incomes after a survey conducted by the charity found 94% of respondents were worried about paying their energy bills from next month.
A new report on the impact of rising energy costs, published today by Age Scotland, highlights the experience and concerns of hundreds of older people who face financial insecurity, poorer health and being plunged into fuel poverty as a result of soaring energy bills.
The survey of over 50s conducted by the charity, which underpinned the report, found that a staggering 94% of older people were worried about their energy bills and more than 200 said they believed the rising costs would adversely affect their daily lives and made them fear for the future.
Many of those who took part in the survey said they will have to make stark choices between heating their homes or cutting back on other essentials, including food.
Helen, who is over 75, said: “I will need to consider what I will have to live without to pay them. I will need to be more careful with buying food, rather than treating myself from time to time. Rising energy bills will result in life being worse for many older people and they are going to be even lonelier because they cannot afford to live comfortably.”
Another respondent, Mary, was asked how she would cope if energy bills rose by as much as 50%. She said: “I wouldn’t. It’s a death sentence.”
Age Scotland is now calling on the Scottish, UK and local governments to take urgent action to prevent tens of thousands more older people on the lowest incomes and those living with chronic health conditions being forced into fuel poverty when energy bills go up next month.
The key recommendations the charity wants addressed include:
Further one-off payments to support older people on the lowest incomes, including £500 to those in receipt of the Cold Weather Payment
Improve public awareness of sources of financial support and funding for energy-efficiency measures
Implement a national programme to target the least energy-efficient homes for support
Raise awareness of benefits available and how to claim them
Consider implementing a price cap for homes whose primary heating source isn’t mains gas or electricity
Offer people a choice about how they receive financial support, including discretionary payments, so people have financial flexibility
Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said:
“It is wholly depressing to hear that 94% of older people who took part in our survey are worried about rising energy bills and fear how the extraordinary surge in cost from next month will impact them. The stories and concerns of hundreds of older people are laid bare in our new report which provides a stark picture of what lies ahead.
“For the 218,000 older households in Scotland living in fuel poverty and those on low incomes in particular, these higher energy bills will mean cutting back on other essentials including food which is a completely unacceptable situation for any older person to face.
“Heating your home isn’t a luxury, it is an essential resource which supports our health and wellbeing. Older people should not end up in debt just to be able to keep their house warm and lights on, but that is the reality greater numbers of people will now face.
“Further and immediate action is needed to mitigate next month’s energy cost rise. We’re calling on the Scottish, UK and local governments to intervene to help older people on lower incomes to stay warm and pay their energy bills. They should be proactive in exploring what more they can do to help, and not just rely on what has been done in the past or what is most straightforward to deliver.
“We want to see a package of support made available to older people in need, including further one-off payments, targeting homes on lowest incomes for energy efficiency support and a national campaign to raise awareness of the social security older people are entitled to claim.
“We would also encourage older people who are worried about their energy bills to call our free helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for advice, information and support.”
Age Scotland can help older people if they are concerned about their energy bills, or just want to know how to save money and reduce their costs.
Call the helpline for a benefit entitlement check or to speak to an energy rights advisor on 0800 12 44 222
Join a free online energy workshops to learn more about your home energy use, supporting you to stay warm and save money on your bills at www.age.scot/energyworkshops
Get a free copy of the Warm and Well information guide by calling the helpline on 0800 12 44 222 or at www.age.scot/energy
