Fuel poverty crisis is targeting 40% of over 50s

New research conducted by Age Scotland has unfortunately shown that people over the age of 50 were facing fuel poverty this summer.

The cost-of-living crisis due to the rate of inflation has affecting adults for months, with reports people cannot afford to heat their homes, pay for their weekly food shop, or fill up their cars.

Research by Age Scotland has revealed 76% of people over the age of 50 are ‘concerned’ about paying their fuel bills.

The country’s largest charity for older people, spoke to over 1,000 people aged 50 or over and discovered four in 10 struggled with fuel poverty throughout the summer.

British Gas distribution company, SGN also partnered with Age Scotland and discovered an increase of 30% in the number of people concerned about paying their energy bills.

Maureen McIntosh, Head of Customer Experience from SGN, includes one sample of somebody exclaiming: ‘It was a shock to see my monthly bill go up by 91%. I have dipped into my reserve money to pay for this.’

Age Scotland’s Chief Executive, Brian Sloan said: ‘This new research paints an incredibly worrying picture of how older people are coping with rising energy costs.’

Mr Sloan has also urged the government to act now as he believes the ‘devastating impact of rising costs’ will hit over the next few months as the weather gets colder and the latest Ofgem price cap increase comes into effect.

To keep up with the rising rate of inflation, the Ofgem price cap was increase by 80% from October 1, meaning the average gas and electricity bill has risen to £3,549.

The new cap has almost trebled since this time last year when it was raised to £1,277.

Once the cap was introduced, Johnathan Brearley, Chief Executive of Ofgem said: ‘We know the massive impact this price cap increase will have on households across Britain and the difficult decisions consumers will have to make.’

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya

For more on how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting individuals and communities head to our sister publication, Homepage – SocialCareToday