12 December 2024
Ofgem standing charges proposals reaction
Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age said: “Although this will not be a fix all for older people on a low income who are struggling to afford to keep the heating on, we welcome any policy that gives them more choice. People in later life have told us how unfair they feel it is to be hit with standing charges when they are using the heating very little or not at all.
“Now, the UK Government must introduce a social tariff for people on a low income who need support with paying their energy bills. It is not right that in later life, older people are sitting under blankets in bed all day or living in only one heated room. This could provide some much needed financial security for the almost 2 million people in later life currently living in poverty, as well as future generations.
“We also welcome the proposal by Ofgem to tackle the level of debt that some customers built up during the energy crisis. We know that some in later life have been forced into debt to afford to keep their home at a liveable temperature and that this is causing a huge amount of strain and anxiety.”