Nearly 100 charities are calling for energy discounts for seniors and low-income people
In a letter to the Chancellor, 95 charities, including Age UK, warned that many households were struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills electricity ; they ask for discounted prices to set up
Charities are calling for reduced energy rates for the elderly and low-income people (
Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Older people and people on low incomes should benefit from reduced energy tariffs, 95 charities have called for.
In a letter to the Chancellor, the groups including Age UK warned that many households were struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills.
They call for the introduction of reduced rates for people receiving means-tested benefits, invalidity benefits and carers' allowances.
Research by Age UK shows that 71% of over-60s think social tariffs should be available to those who need them most.
The government cap that limits bills will go up to £3,000 for a typical household in April.
Charities say the number of fuel-poor households could rise to more than eight million, up from 4.5 million in October 2021.
In the letter to Jeremy Hunt, they point out that many people living in poverty and with higher energy needs, for example, those relying on medical equipment like dialysis, "still struggle to afford to heat and power their homes adequately," even with additional government assistance.
Picture:
UK PARLIAMENT/AFP via Getty Imag)They urge him "to consider a graduated funding mechanism", where "targeted support should be automatically made available to those in need".
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: "Older people are struggling to get by now, and that's before another rise in energy prices happens in a few Many will simply not be able to cope with further price increases and we are extremely concerned that their health and well-being will pay the price.
"There must be a lot more protection for those who have no other way...
In a letter to the Chancellor, 95 charities, including Age UK, warned that many households were struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills electricity ; they ask for discounted prices to set up
Charities are calling for reduced energy rates for the elderly and low-income people (
Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Older people and people on low incomes should benefit from reduced energy tariffs, 95 charities have called for.
In a letter to the Chancellor, the groups including Age UK warned that many households were struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills.
They call for the introduction of reduced rates for people receiving means-tested benefits, invalidity benefits and carers' allowances.
Research by Age UK shows that 71% of over-60s think social tariffs should be available to those who need them most.
The government cap that limits bills will go up to £3,000 for a typical household in April.
Charities say the number of fuel-poor households could rise to more than eight million, up from 4.5 million in October 2021.
In the letter to Jeremy Hunt, they point out that many people living in poverty and with higher energy needs, for example, those relying on medical equipment like dialysis, "still struggle to afford to heat and power their homes adequately," even with additional government assistance.
Picture:
UK PARLIAMENT/AFP via Getty Imag)They urge him "to consider a graduated funding mechanism", where "targeted support should be automatically made available to those in need".
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: "Older people are struggling to get by now, and that's before another rise in energy prices happens in a few Many will simply not be able to cope with further price increases and we are extremely concerned that their health and well-being will pay the price.
"There must be a lot more protection for those who have no other way...
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