One in seven older people will go without heating this winter due to the spiralling cost of energy, raising concerns that many could die, a charity has warned.
Some 15 per cent of people aged 65 and over say they will not use their heating at all in the coming months in order to save money, a YouGov poll of 3,415 adults carried out on behalf of Independent Age found.
The survey found that 61 per cent of over-65s will at least reduce the amount of heating they will use, while almost one in five – 19 per cent – say they plan to eat less to make ends meet. A further 18 per cent say they will shower less to reduce costs.
The large majority – 79 per cent – of those polled say that the government is not doing enough to help them meet the challenges of the cost of living crisis. Nearly the same proportion believe that the cost of living crisis should be among the next prime minister’s top three concerns.
Independent Age has written an open letter to the Conservative leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak to urge them to take action to prevent a rise in excess winter deaths, warning that the current crisis could be as harmful as the pandemic.
The charity said it was hearing from older people who were making “incredible tough choices” between eating, heating or turning the lights on via its helpline every day.
“We are hurtling towards a devastating winter where many in later life will be forced to make dangerous cutbacks on basic essentials such as heating and food. We are very concerned this will lead to more older people dying this winter,” Independent Age wrote.
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“A new cost of living package is required now. It must get money into the pockets of older people on low income urgently, be significant enough to match the scale of the crisis and reassure those who are struggling to afford the essentials that the Government will help them through the winter and beyond.”
Appealing directly to Ms Truss and Mr Sunak, the charity added: “The next Prime Minister must immediately rise to the occasion and help the millions of older people in desperate need of support. The Government took significant action to tackle the pandemic, and a similar response is required now.
“The work starts now. You have the opportunity to form a new government which will prevent avoidable deaths and help older people in real need.
“But older people are already looking to you now for reassurance that they will not have to risk their lives this winter and beyond. Offering anything else is simply not an option.”
The energy price cap will soar to £3,549 a year in October – an increase of 80 per cent. Energy bills have skyrocketed in 2022. In April the price cap jumped by almost 60 per cent, from £1,227 to £1,971. The latest increase, announced by Ofgem, means annual energy bills will almost triple in the space of just six months.
Around 24 million households, including 4.5 million homes using prepayment meters, will be affected by the hikes. The extent of the rise may force millions of families to make a choice between heating and eating.
The Government has introduced a series of energy bill support schemes to help households struggling with the cost of living. One of these is an additional £300 winter fuel payment for pensioners.
To qualify, households applying must include someone born on or before 25 September 1956. Applicants must also live in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19-25 September 2022.
