Charities fear double burden for pensioners

Charities warn that pensioners may have to “go to bed with their hats and coats on” this winter due to rising energy prices and cancelled financial support.

Organisations such as Independent Age point out that if heating subsidies are made income-tested this time, some older people will be deprived of an important source of income.

The move comes at a time when gas and electricity prices for 27 million households in Scotland, Wales and England are set to rise in October.

The government said it had been forced to make these cuts and was now urging all those entitled to them to claim the benefits to which they are entitled.

For a household with typical gas and electricity consumption and paying by direct debit, the annual bill will rise to £1,717 from October, an increase of £149 on the current rate.

After two cuts earlier this year, despite the increase, most people will still pay slightly less than last winter, but significantly more than they did before the pandemic.

In addition to the increase, the winter pension allowance of up to £300 will also be withdrawn for more than ten million elderly people.

This will hurt some more than others, including Brian Jones of Durham, who said the payment would have helped cover “obscenely inflated energy bills.”

He said he and his wife Carol had to “bite the bullet” when it came to their finances.

They invested in a new electric stove and got rid of the gas stove because it was too expensive to run. They also wear more clothes so they can set the thermostat low and stay warm in the winter.

He added that they recently felt really extravagant when buying Chinese lantern flowers, the price of which caught their attention – and that was only because they had saved on other purchases that week.

Libby Romain, from Wiltshire, said she was just above the eligibility criteria for the winter fuel payment and would therefore not be considered.

She said she felt “completely betrayed, worthless and sick” by the government's plan.

“Why should other groups be considered eligible? [for] a better standard of living than those who have paid in [and form] the economic backbone of the country?” she said.

“Members of Parliament who have no idea what it means to fight are depriving those who need it most of an annual necessity.”

The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has called on the government to come up with a plan to prevent more households from falling into fuel poverty this winter as a result of the cuts to pensioner benefits.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said that the “reckless” plans would have a huge impact on low- or modest-income pensioners and those living in precarious conditions due to ill health.

“We just don’t see how some of them are going to cope,” she said.

Earlier this week, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the new Labour government had been forced to make “difficult decisions”.

“But I am determined to ensure that low-income pensioners are supported,” she said.

Ms Romain is disabled and said the cold had affected her condition.

James Taylor, strategy director at disability equality organisation Scope, said higher energy bills would have disastrous consequences for disabled households.

Some, including some wealthier pensioners themselves, argue that the money paid out so far in the form of winter allowances could be better spent.

Citizens Advice said it was always a poorly targeted service and not necessarily focused on those most in need.

“Many of the people who struggle most with energy costs are younger, on low incomes or are parents of children,” said Alex Belsham-Harris of the charity.

“These are the households most likely to be affected by energy poverty. That's why we need a more targeted approach from the government in general this winter.”

An estimated 880,000 low-income pensioner households who are entitled to the pension credit are not currently applying for it.

According to the government, the amount is on average £3,900 per year and entitles people to further financial support, such as a heating allowance in winter.

You can check your entitlement to pension credit via the government's online calculator.

Information is also available on how to make a claim. A telephone hotline is also available on weekdays: 0800 99 1234.

There is a guide to benefits, when you are entitled to them and what to do if something goes wrong, provided by the independent MoneyHelper websitesupported by the government.

Performance computers are also operated by Politics in practiceand charities Entitlement toAnd Turn2us.