The 10% increase in the Energy Price Cap to £1,717 annually (£144 per month) from October, announced by the Regulator OffGem this morning (23 August) , will leave millions of pensioners struggling to pay their bills this winter, with no Winter Fuel Payment to help.
Only a month ago the Government withdrew the Winter Fuel Payment from 11 million pensioners, many of whom are already struggling with their bills, now a £149 increase in the average gas and electricity bills will tip millions into energy poverty.
Winter fuel payments will only be paid to 1.6 Million pensioners who are in receipt of Pension Credits, leaving over 11 Million (88% of Pensioners aged 66 and over) receiving no help this winter.
CSPA Deputy General Secretary David Luxton, said today “The Government must reconsider its arbitrary decision to end the Winter Fuel payments, especially in the light of the sharp increase in energy costs announced today that is more than four times higher than the rate of inflation. Pensioners are struggling and this increase will tip many into energy poverty unable to pay their bills”.
