Age Scotland comment on changes to Ofgem price cap

Commenting on the news that the energy price cap will reduce in the Spring, Age Scotland’s Chief Executive, Katherine Crawford welcomed the change, however, highlighted that there is still a long way to go so older people in Scotland can afford to live in warm homes.

This will come as welcome relief to the many older households in Scotland who have been struggling to pay their bills and heat their homes. But the cost of energy is still way too high for far too many people.

Our research shows that the household bill that causes older people greatest concern is the energy one and over the last 5 years the average cost for gas and electricity usage has more than doubled. Half of pensioners in Scotland live in fuel poverty and last winter a quarter didn’t think they would be able to heat their home to a comfortable level. This has a damaging and long lasting impact on people’s health.

There is still a long way to go to ensure people can afford to live in warm homes. Cutting the cost of energy is part of the puzzle, but supporting people to need less of it and keep more of the heat they pay for inside their homes must be a pressing action for governments.

Katherine Crawford, CEO, Age Scotland