Woman fears she and dog will starve as rising energy bills leave over-65s scared to heat homes

Millions of people aged over 65 are worrying about how they will keep the heating on at home because of rising energy bills and one 74-year-old woman fears higher costs will leave her unable to eat food or feed her dog who is “my only companion”.

She is among thousands of people who are already struggling and cutting back on heating and food and have contacted the charity Age UK in desperation.

I will not be able ...'to eat or feed my little dog, my only companion'

Sandra, aged 74, said: “I am a 74 year old pensioner living on the state pension in a privately rented house.

"If my energy bills increase as much as predicted, despite the help already given, I will not be able to heat my house, eat, feed my little dog, my only companion, and pay my bills without going into further debt as my savings have already been eaten away.”

She is far from alone as David, also aged over 65, said: “I can barely afford the energy bills at the moment and have to keep cooking to a minimum in order to be able to heat my flat.

“As it is, many times I have to turn the heating down to the point where it feels cold because I can't be sure I will have enough money to pay the bill. All prices seem to rise faster than any increase in my pension and this latest threat of energy bills rising by up to 50 per cent will take many things beyond what I can afford.”

7.8 million people aged 65+ worry about heating homes

No less than 7.8 million older people are worried about heating their homes, according to research for Age UK and 82 per cent – equivalent to over 10 million over-65s - want the Prime Minister to protect them from unaffordable energy costs.

More than 50,000 people have signed a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson penned by Age UK, urging him to act now to protect older people from rising energy bills.

Reports that the energy price cap will nearly double to £2,400 a year from October, has led the charity to highlight that this will ‘push tens of thousands more older people into fuel poverty’ and force huge numbers to start rationing their heating.

In its letter, Age UK urged Ministers to remove the 5 per cent rate of VAT from households’ energy bills from April till at least the end of 2022 and give extra support (payments of up to £500) to older people on the lowest incomes.

Government accused of 'dithering'

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “Millions of older people across the UK are absolutely dreading the imminent price cap announcement and urgently need reassurance that help is on its way so they can keep their heating on.

“Every single day we are hearing heart-breaking stories from desperate older people who are being forced to choose between heating and eating. This isn’t a looming crisis, it’s already upon us – and while the Government is dithering, millions of older people are suffering and putting their health at risk because they can’t afford to keep warm.

“The Government's response must be equal to the threat they pose to older people, many of whom are vulnerable and struggling to afford exorbitant bills on a meagre state pension.”

Existing support such as Cold Weather Payments and the Warm Home Discount Scheme are vital for older people on a low income but they are only available to those who claim certain benefits such as Pension Credit. But too many pensioners are missing out as they have incomes just above the eligibility line.

Age UK is urging older people to call its free helpline on 0800 169 65 65 before turning their heating off, to check they are receiving all the financial support available including benefits such as Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance.

To date (21 January) over 77,000 people have signed Age UK’s open letter to the Prime Minister. To add your name, visit: bit.ly/ageuk-energy