Charities are warning over pensioners “going to bed in hats and coats” this winter as support is removed for energy and prices rise.
What Is Happening to Winter Fuel Payments?
Later this year, winter fuel payments will be means-tested, according to organizations, including Independent Age – this could mean that old people’s vital support will be cut off. Are prices set to rise?
Prices Are Set to Rise
Domestic electricity and gas are set to rise for 27 million households across the UK in October as wholesale market prices increase.
What Does the Government Say?
The Government said it had to cut and that all eligible older adults or pensioners should claim benefits.
How Much Exactly Will Bills Rise?
Bills will rise to £1,717 from October. This includes households with average gas and electricity usage, which is a £149 increase with current prices.
How Does This Compare?
After two previous cuts earlier this year, these prices will be lower than last winter’s but still considerably higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The Benefits Cut
Ten million people will lose the winter fuel payment, reducing state help for many pensioners, who will lose, on average, £300 in support.
The People’s View on Benefit Cuts
Brian Jones from Durham said the winter fuel payment would have helped cover the “obscenely inflated energy bills.” He added that his family would have to “bite the bullet” and reduce other areas of spending in their household budget.
In What Ways Are People Saving Money?
Brian and Carol are typical members of the public who invested in an electric oven. This winter, they will also reduce the thermostat temperatures and wear more layers of clothes. Typical of many households.
People Are Cut off Sharply for Being Just Over the Threshold
Libby Romain in Wiltshire will be just over the Threshold for winter fuel payments and will lose all of the support from the benefit. Highlighting how this new means-tested benefit will work, she feels “totally cheated, worthless and sick” due to the Government’s change in the winter fuel payment benefit.
Changes to Winter Fuel Payments Unfair
Libby Further added: “Why should other groups be considered to be eligible for a better standard of living than those that have paid in and from the economic backbone of the country?”
Do MPs Truly Understand the Consequences of the Cut?
Libby added, “MPs with no insight at all of what it is like to struggle now take away an annual necessity from those that need it the most.”
Campaigners Put Pressure on the Government
A leading campaigner on fuel poverty, the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, is calling on the Government to devise an alternative plan to prevent millions of households from falling into even more fuel poverty.
What Do Charities Say?
Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said the plans were “reckless” and these cuts would have a very large impact on elderly people who are on some of the lowest incomes as well as being in vulnerable states due to illness.
Dire Future for the Elderly
Caroline Adds, “We simply cannot see how some of them will cope.” Many of the 10 million people affected will also find it incredibly hard to balance the books with the price rises.
The Government Makes Tough Decisions
Earlier this week, Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, stated that the Government had to make “difficult decisions”.
Government Sentiment
Liz Kendall added, “But I am determined to ensure low-income pensioners are supported,”.
Disability: Another Layer of Suffering
Mrs Romain has a condition which means she is disabled and states it gets a lot worse in the cold. This is not isolated; many older adults have conditions or disabilities exacerbated by the cold. And with payments getting more challenging, many pensioners or older people will suffer.
Charities Support the Disabled
James Taylor, the director of strategy at the disability equality charity, said – that all of these higher prices and benefit cuts will be disastrous for households with disabled people in.
Who Does the Winter Fuel Payment Target?
Some of the wealthier pensioners in the UK have stated that the benefit could have been better spent without the wealthiest receiving it.
Organizations Say Winter Fuel Payment Is Not Fair
Citizens Advice said the benefit was given to all people over a certain age and is poorly targeted, with poorer people just as eligible as wealthy people.
Other Age Ranges Affected?
Alex Belsham-Harris from Citizens Advice said, “A lot of the people who are struggling most with energy costs are people who are younger, on low incomes or have children,”. Adding, “Those are the households most likely to be in fuel poverty, so, in general, a more targeted approach from the government is what we need to see this winter.”
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jelena Stanojkovic.