The energy regulator Ofgem has announced that energy bills will be increasing yet again from 1 October as the Price Cap will rise by 2% to £1,775, meaning average monthly energy bills of £148. This will add to the growing cost of living pressures for older people after years of high energy bills, and on top of big increases in water rates; Council Tax; and record increases in the price of food.; and the erosion of pension increases by the freeze on personal tax thresholds.
No older person should experience fuel poverty. That’s why CSPA supports the campaigning of other pensioner organisations, including Independent Age and Age UK, to have a targeted, comprehensive energy bill support scheme for people of all ages.
We are calling on the UK Government to introduce a national social tariff for energy bills.
The introduction of a national energy social tariff for people on a low income would have a huge impact, with 360,000 older households being lifted out of fuel poverty. This could be the difference that means hundreds of thousands of older people wouldn’t have to make dangerous cutbacks just to make ends meet this winter.
For more information on what improved energy bill support would look like and the difference it could make for older people in financial hardship click to read the article from Independent Age.
We know that fuel poverty is not inevitable, so it’s time for the UK Government to step up and take serious action. The Autumn Budget in November is a vital opportunity to make sure that everyone gets the support they need by introducing a national social tariff for energy bills. In the meantime, read the blog to learn about how you can make a difference.
