Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson, CBE said:
“Today’s price cap announcement show that energy prices have fallen for the second successive quarter. However, this is not a cause for celebration, as bills are still 50% higher than they were before the energy crisis started in 2021.
“This fall might also be short lived, as bills are projected to rise again in October and next January. Thissituation is extremely worrying as last winter our helpline received a huge number of calls from frightened older people worried about their high energy costs. Many couldn’t afford to turn their heating on, going to drastic lengths to stay warm. We heard from people going to bed in hats and coats, while others were living in just one room to keep costs down. History cannot be allowed to repeat itself this winter.
“There are around 2 million older people living in poverty whose low fixed incomes cannot cope with sharp increases to their bills, which forces many to make dangers cutbacks on essentials such as heating and food. Those in later life, living in financial hardship, need reassurances that they will be protected longer term from high energy costs.
“The next UK Government must introduce an energy social tariff for those most in need, including people aged 65 and over living on a low income and those who have high energy consumption due to long term conditions or disabilities. This will provide much needed security for millions of people experiencing poverty in later life up and down the country.”