12 February 2007
More than one in five elderly people in the UK, equating to 2.3 million people, are in fuel poverty, according to the latest research from price comparison website uSwitch.com.
Meanwhile, a similar number, 2.2 million, are at risk of entering into fuel poverty, as they struggle to cope with the cost of gas and electricity bills.
Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, explained that since 2006, wholesale gas prices had fallen by 50%, but consumer gas bills had risen by 38%.
Yet the basic pension has only increased by 4%, leaving many elderly people out of pocket, to the extent that 30% have spent less on essential expenses such as food simply to cover energy bills.
"It is a national disgrace for modern Britain to take a backseat and accept the current levels of fuel poverty amongst the elderly," Ms Robinson said.
"This cannot be allowed to continue and it is now time for energy companies to take some responsibility and become accountable for the 2.3 million pensioners living in fuel poverty in this country today."
Gordon Lishman, Director General at Age Concern, added: "The government must act to ease the burden of rising energy bills by upping the Winter Fuel Payment by £100, as well as ensuring that decent housing, energy efficiency measures and a higher basic state pension are in place to help older people stay warm."
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