Pensioners feel the winter chill

The fall in the inflation figure reported this week is good news, but pensioners are still suffering for the recent hikes in energy prices, with the poorest feeling it most.

With 2.1m pensioners living in poverty, Age Concern reports that two thirds are cutting back on their use of gas and electricity, more than half are buying lower quality food, and just under half plan to cut back on their heating this winter. The recent increases in the cost of living have meant that 10% of pensioners have built up some debt.

Fuel poverty is even more of an issue, with an estimated 2.75 million pensioner households in the UK in fuel poverty. The £200 Winter Fuel Payment used to cover a third of an average fuel bill, but now it accounts for less than 20%.

These are worrying trends with winter just around the corner. Age Concern's Director General‚ Gordon Lishman‚ said that the Government’s Pre-Budget report (due on 24 November) must assist pensioners who are struggling with increasing bills. He said the Pension Credit should be increased at the real rate of inflation, an emergency payment of £100 should be given to pensioners entitled to benefits, and the Winter Fuel Payment should be put up by £50.

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