Pensioners risk health to curb rising fuel bills

Millions of older people are risking their health and lives by cutting back on heating as energy bills soar, it emerged last night.

Pensioners saw gas bills jump 55 per cent and electricity charges surge 36 per cent in the two years to April 2007, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said.

The think-tank claims this led to older households deciding to use 10 per cent less energy to help them afford their bills.
But even with this drastic measure, they were still having to spend an extra 22 per cent on heat and light. Around 22,400 pensioners died in the cold winter of 2007 - the most in four years.

The findings will put pressure on energy firms, the regulator Ofgem and ministers to protect the vulnerable this winter.

Wholesale gas and electricity prices have slumped over the past year, but only a fraction of the fall has come off bills.

Official customer body Consumer Focus urged the Government to make energy firms pass on the falls to consumers.

Its energy expert Jonathan Stearn said: 'It is shameful that vulnerable pensioners' bills have gone up, despite them having to turn down their heating to cut costs.

'Cutting back on heating to avoid high bills could put the health of many at risk this winter.

'If the suppliers don't act, the Government must take action.'

Millions of pensioners are among the 5.4million people in fuel poverty - where households spend at least 10 per cent of their income on fuel.

Many have to choose between heating and eating. The situation has escalated because spiralling energy bills have outpaced increases in the state pension.

Age Concern and Help the Aged, which merged this year, said further price rises since the survey took place have made things worse.

The charity revealed that some pensioners were staying in bed to reduce the amount they spent on heating.

Andrew Harrop, head of public policy at the charity, which commissioned the report, said: 'Shockingly, while poorer pensioners are spending more on energy, they are reducing the amount of energy they buy. Vulnerable older people could be putting their health at risk to cut costs.'

The number of people who had their electricity cut off last year for not paying the bill rose by 9 per cent to 2,891.

The number repaying electricity arrears - 1.3million - is down by 3 per cent. Those behind on their gas bills rose by 2 per cent to 800,000. continues here

Related Posts by Categories