Energy price cap rise devastating for low income older people
Reacting to the announcement from Ofgem that gas and electricity bills will rise by 2% from October, Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said:
"The latest energy price cap rise will come as devastating news to older people in Scotland on low or modest incomes. Energy bills are already largely unaffordable for those on the lowest incomes and being faced with yet another price hike just before winter is a cruel blow.
"Our research shows the extent to which the price of energy has shot up over the past five years – the average annual gas bill in 2020 was £600 compared to £1,368 in 2025. Electricity prices have increased even more over the same period - £612 then and £1,650 now.
"Rising prices when household energy consumption is set to increase will be a tough pill to swallow for older people on low and modest incomes living in energy inefficient homes. They are already paying a disproportionately high price with many left unable to cope during the coldest months of the year.
"The shocking cost of energy has forced many older people to cut back on heating and cooking hot food, both of which are damaging to their health and wellbeing. It should be regarded as a national disgrace that some older people in Scotland had to stay in bed to keep warm last winter or struggle to care for someone diagnosed with a terminal illness because they can’t afford to heat their home properly.
"We really hope the return of a heating payment for pensioners this winter will help people have the confidence to use their heating when it is needed. But with such a high number of older people living in fuel poverty, more national action is needed to help them reduce the amount of energy they need to use through better insulation and more efficient heating systems, as well as help to pay the bills.
"Older people can call our free helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for energy advice, support with bills, information about their tariff and other options, and ensuring that they are receiving all the support they are entitled to."
