Fuel poverty campaigners have redoubled their calls to Labour to urgently reverse cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment. It comes as nearly 1million Scots pensioners face brutal energy price rises next week along with the loss of the benefit.
With the energy price cap rising by 10 per cent from Tuesday – taking the average household bill up by £149 per year – experts said to many this winter will feel like “the most expensive on record”.
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition said support for vulnerable households is needed now to prevent an all-out winter heating crisis. Coordinator Simon Francis said: “We’re now heading into the fourth winter of sky high energy prices.
“After October 1, bills will be 65 per cent higher than in 2020-21, meaning the average household will have paid more than £2500 extra for their energy than had we not been so exposed to volatile gas prices and energy markets. For older people who previously received the Winter Fuel Payment, but will no longer do so under the Chancellor’s new rules, the situation is even worse.
“For many pensioners, this winter will feel like the most expensive on record. What’s worse, there are more price increases on the horizon in January 2025.”
It comes as both the Scottish and UK governments have set out plans to boost home energy efficiency in the long term with a shift to green heat and a national insulation programme. Labour Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband has vowed to crack down on landlords in England who let out substandard draughty homes – while it’s hoped new publicly owned energy firm GB Energy, headquartered in Aberdeen will accelerate the renewables revolution.
Francis added: “We welcome the government’s long term plans to boost home energy efficiency to bring down bills and to improve energy security to stabilise prices, but these reforms will take time to take effect and will be cold comfort to those struggling this winter.
“That’s why it is so vital that ministers reverse the Winter Fuel Payment cuts for this year, bring in more support for vulnerable households, reduce standing charges and introduce a social tariff. The energy industry has made more than £457billion in profit since the start of the crisis – so there is plenty of money in the system to be able to ensure everyone stays warm this winter and next.”
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