Energy bill cost rise frightening, Swansea pensioners say

An expected rise in energy bills coupled with the end of winter fuel payments for most pensioners is “really frightening”, a group of older people has said.

One member of a walking group in Swansea had to return to work in her 70s while another said she had damp in her home after cutting back on heating to save money.

The energy regulator will announce a new price cap on Friday, which is expected to increase by about 9% from October.

The UK government said it was “taking difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy” and would target winter fuel payments to “those most in need”.

Retired Royal Mail worker Pauline Anderson, organiser of the Swansea Ageing Well community walking group, said many members were worried about what winter would bring.

“There are some who are in their 70s and still having to go to work, at 70 you shouldn’t have to be doing that,” she said.

The loss of the winter fuel payment, worth between £100 and £300, as well as an expected increase in bills has led to anxiety.

From the autumn only those on pension credit, or other means-tested benefits will receive the winter fuel payment.

But about £117m in pension credit is going unclaimed in Wales this year, according to estimates.

Margaret, from Port Talbot, travels to Swansea regularly to take part in the group activities.

She does not receive any benefits and, at 78, said she was “really frightened” about what losing the winter fuel payment would mean.

“I lost my husband five years ago and I’m on my own and the pension I’m getting is very small,” she said.

Her friend Anne, 62, does not qualify for the state pension yet, but said everyone had been trying to cut back their energy usage last winter.

“We cut back on the thermostat so much that we ended up with damp in the house, so then we had to increase from 14C to 15C to see if that would be any better,” she said.

People are generally advised to heat their home to 18C in winter and Public Health Wales has said 30% of excess winter deaths were due to cold homes.

Ofgem, the energy regulator, imposes a price cap on the amount suppliers can charge households for each unit of energy and standing charges.

The price cap has fallen recently and is £1,568 per year for a typical household using electricity and gas and paying by direct debit.

But it remains about £350 – or 29% – higher now than it was in summer 2021.

But some of the Swansea walkers support the UK government’s decision to restrict winter fuel payments.

Christine, 78, and her friend Beryl said they should only go to those who need them.

“Millionaires get the winter fuel payment,” said Beryl.

“I agree with it being means tested but whether the means tested side of it is fair, I don’t know.”

The UK government said it was “committed to pensioners” by “protecting” the triple lock pension and “keeping energy bills low”.

It said it would “work with local authorities to boost the uptake of pension credit, reaching the many pensioners who could still benefit from this year’s winter fuel payments”.

You can check whether you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to by calling the free and confidential helpline ‘claim what’s yours‘ on 0808 250 5700.