Category: News

Millions to spend a fourth winter in cold damp homes

New figures reveal that 16% of UK adults (8.8m people) live in cold damp homes, exposed to the health complications that come from living in fuel poverty. [1]

While the Government has announced that a Warm Homes Plan will help improve people’s homes in years to come, this will come too late for the one in ten (9%) who frequently experienced, dangerous, levels of mould in their homes over the past 12 months.

People who live in poorly insulated homes risk seeing damp and mould spread and the NHS warns that people living in these conditions are more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. 

Damp and mould can also affect the immune system while living in such conditions can also increase the risk of heart disease, heart attacks or strokes.

Cold homes can cause and worsen respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, poor mental health, dementia and hypothermia as well as cause and slow recovery from injury.

To tackle the problem, a large majority of people support a fully funded nationwide insulation and ventilation programme to create healthy, energy efficient homes that will slash excess deaths caused by cold, damp houses in winter. 

Nearly three-quarters (72%) agree the worst insulated homes should be the priority as almost half (47%) of those polled are worried about how they will stay warm this winter, with 46% worried if they have to rely on the NHS this winter. [2]

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:

“The sheer numbers of people living in cold damp homes this winter should send alarm bells ringing throughout Westminster. 

“These shocking figures have hardly changed since last year and with energy bills heading upwards again in January, the situation is now critical for the Government.

“The Chancellor must take two immediate steps in the Comprehensive Spending Review. Firstly, she must fully support the Warm Homes Plan with £13.2bn of funding and a commitment to help the worst insulated homes get support first.

“Then Ministers must also bring in more support for vulnerable households this winter and speed up plans to bring in a social tariff for next winter – a move that is backed by the vast majority of voters.”

Following the findings of the poll, commissioned by campaign group Warm This Winter, organisations have signed an open letter sent to Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury calling for the Government to commit to the  £13.2 billion. 

Warm This Winter spokesperson Caroline Simpson said: “It is shocking that whilst people are looking forward to celebrating the festivities, too many are still living in true Dickensian conditions, where cold damp homes are making them ill.

“We need to see a Government that has the ambition to create the homes people deserve and banish these appalling conditions to a bye-gone era where they belong.”

ENDS

[1] Opinium conducted an online survey of 2,000 UK adults between 22nd and 26th November 2024. Results have been weighted to be nationally representative.  In 2023, there were 54,196,443 people aged 18 plus in the UK according to ONS.

[2] Opinium conducted an online survey of 2,014 UK adults between 7th and 8th October 2024. Results were weighted to be nationally and politically representative of the UK adult population.

Insulate us from energy shocks say bill payers as public reveal cold winter fears

New figures from the Warm This Winter campaign have found that almost half (47%) of those polled are worried about how they will stay warm this winter, with 46% worried that they may need to rely on the NHS this winter. [1]

Over 65s are the most concerned group with half (50%) worried about how they will stay warm and the same number of older people scared about needing to use the NHS in the colder months.

The figures come after data, released by the DWP to the House of Commons Select Committee on work and pensions, have shown thousands of pensioners will be pushed into poverty by the decision to remove Winter Fuel Payments.

Campaigners warn that the official statistics are likely an underestimate of the suffering caused by the decision. Those missing out on Winter Fuel Payments this year include 1.2m pensioners in absolute poverty and 1.6m disabled older people.

As part of the long term solution to cold damp homes, the Warm This Winter data shows that nearly three quarters (72%) of the public want the UK’s worst homes to be prioritised with a properly funded insulation and ventilation scheme.

But until the Government’s Warm Homes Plan is introduced, energy bills remain around 65% higher (c.£700 per average household) than in winter 2020/21 – a fourth winter of the energy bills crisis driven by our over reliance on expensive gas.

As the first cold snap of the 2024/25 winter hits home, data analysis by academics has found fuel poor households are using dangerously low amounts of energy during freezing weather.

This has also led to calls to reform the Cold Weather Payments so they are paid out when the Met Office predicts the temperature in the next 24 hours is likely to fall to -4C or below, rather than paid after a cold snap as is the case at present.

As well as short term measures to high energy bills, six out of 10 people actively support a fully-funded nationwide insulation and ventilation programme to create healthy, energy efficient homes that will also make bill payers less exposed to energy shocks.

Experts have calculated it could save households up to £400 on yearly energy bills.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said:

“The dangerous situation households will face this winter is becoming clearer – more people are likely to be living in cold damp homes which will put people in harm’s way.

“Fully funding support to insulate, ventilate and improve the heating in people’s homes is the fastest way to bring down energy bills for good.

“Households – and employers in the industry – need the reassurance that the Government will stick to its word and deliver the £13.2bn investment in the Warm Homes Plan that they promised during the election campaign.

“But home improvements on such a scale will take time to take effect and will be no comfort to those struggling this winter.

“That’s why it is so vital the ministers bring in more support for vulnerable households this winter and speed up plans to bring in a social tariff for next winter – a move that is backed by the vast majority of voters.”

Caroline Simpson, spokesperson for the Warm This Winter campaign said:

“The public have spoken. They want a comprehensive, funded, insulation and ventilation programme which prioritises the worst homes first. 

“If the Government acts now and puts the right measures in place, it would be welcomed by the majority of people in the UK no matter how they voted in July. And as well as making healthier, happier homes, it would also bring down bills in the long term, which would protect us from the ongoing cycle of energy shocks.”

Support for a funded insulation and ventilation programme crosses party lines with 69% of those who intend to vote Labour, 65% of Liberal Democrats, 54% of Conservatives and 53% of Reform, backing a more comprehensive plan. 

Jan Shortt, National Pensioners Convention (NPC) General Secretary said: 

“Will the Chancellor now reconsider her decision and reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment to all pensioners this year – or will she take responsibility for the risk to the health and welfare of those struggling to survive the cold without the allowance?

“Given that we already have freezing weather across the country, it is inevitable that those without the support of the Winter Fuel Payment will be suffering in cold homes – many afraid to turn the heating on at all. 

“The NPC is concerned to learn that the wait for those applying for pension credit is extended to 10 weeks as the extra staff being brought into the DWP will not be trained until the new year.  This delay will take those applicants who need their winter fuel payment now to at least February. 

“We genuinely fear that some may not survive to see February and their delayed payment.”

ENDS

Opinium conducted an online survey of 2,014 nationally and politically representative UK adults between 7th and 8th October 2024

 

Warm Homes Plan “downpayment”, but no additional energy help in Budget

The first Budget of the new Government gave little for fuel poverty campaigners to welcome.

While investment in energy was confirmed and a “down payment” on the Warm Homes Plan was highlighted, there was no further support for households with their energy bills.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:

“The only way to bring down bills permanently is through investment in insulation, home improvements, renewables and infrastructure which will free us from volatile gas prices forever.

“But after the Chancellor’s speech, uncertainty remains whether Ministers will be able to confirm the £13.2bn promised to help people improve their homes.

“And despite the Chancellor taking Winter Fuel Payments away from millions of older people with disabilities and health conditions, there was no support for vulnerable households with their energy bills now.

“The increase to the Household Support Fund announced today is essentially an extension of the current Fund through to the end of March 2026 at the same level as under the last Government and with no adjustment for inflation.

“And with more older people turning to the Fund, local authorities will find it stretched even further.

“What we needed to see in the short term was a restoration of winter fuel payments, an expansion of warm home discounts and reforms to improve and extend cold weather payments.

“Longer term, the Chancellor also needed to commit to a social tariff providing a unit rate discount on energy alongside existing support.”

Warm This Winter spokesperson Caroline Simpson said:

“The Government has done a lot to move us on from energy price shocks in the future with the clear commitment to clean energy.

“But while £3.4 billion is a welcome first instalment on the Warm Homes Plan, it is only the start of the journey.

“We desperately need to see a full £13.2bn turbo charge to the Warm Homes Plan and a 10 year strategy to keep people warm every winter through better housing and energy efficiency.

“For those suffering in cold damp homes now – especially those with disabilities, heath conditions and who have lost the Winter Fuel Payment – the majority of voters also want to see help now.

“In fact 75% of the public say there should be financial help for older and disabled people to pay their energy bills. The public also think the wider energy sector, who have made £457 billion in profits since the start of the energy crisis,  should pick up the tab for a new social tariff.

“We urge the government to look at this as a way forward.”

Frazer Scott from Energy Action Scotland, posted on X:

“Nothing in the budget to help people across the UK access affordable energy. We need UK and devolved governments to work better together because the dial isn’t shifting based on their individual interventions.”

National Energy Action Chief Executive Adam Scorer commented:

“This Budget will not lessen the impact of unaffordable energy bills and record levels of energy debt this winter. With likely increases to energy bills later in January, things will remain bleak for some of the most vulnerable households across the UK.

“A longer-term Warm Homes Plan designed to help fuel poor households is more vital than ever. A downpayment is welcome, but we need the full detail and investment promised in the Labour manifesto.”

Ellie Mae O’Hagan, UK Energy Programme Leader for E3G said:

“The initial £3.4 billion announced over three years for retrofitting homes will provide industry with welcome investment certainty but is well short of the Labour Manifesto pledge to invest £13.2 billion over the Parliament.

“The door has been left open to boost this investment in the Spending Review due in the Spring. This must now be delivered so that people can get the warm homes they deserve.”

Paul Kissack, Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said:

“Today’s actions alone won’t be enough to fix the foundations for millions who struggle winter after winter in devastating hardship. The Chancellor is right that change must be felt. The people who needed to feel the most change are those living in and at risk of hardship.

“Limiting the devastating impact of deductions is a good step. There was also welcome investment in social homes, help for carers to work and care, and a rise in the minimum wage.

“It’s deeply worrying that we haven’t seen changes to social security that will seriously bring down hardship. In particular private renters will feel let down by the choice to keep Local Housing Allowance frozen means that it will become further out of step with local rent levels, which have soared in recent years.

“People receiving sickness benefits also face a fearful future at a time when almost two thirds of those experiencing destitution have a long term health condition. The government has failed to explain how they will save £3bn from the benefits bill and will offer no certainty and more anxiety rather than the respect they deserve.”

Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson, CBE  said:

“Today’s Budget was a mixed bag for older people in financial hardship. There were some welcome announcements from the UK Government’s including the continuation of the Triple Lock, changes to the earnings limit for Carers Allowance, investment in Discretionary Housing Payment and an extension to the Household Support Fund. All of these have the potential to help older people in financial hardship. 

“However, many older people living on low incomes will be incredibly concerned that the UK Government is going full steam ahead with plans to means test the Winter Fuel Payment. At the very least, this change shouldn’t be made until Pension Credit take-up is substantially increased. The latest figures show that up to 970,000 eligible older people could be missing out on Pension Credit, and now they will lose the Winter Fuel Payment despite living on a low income. This will have a devastating impact on older people in financial hardship across the country. The people we speak to at Independent Age are planning to make drastic cutbacks just to get by, from heating one room in their house to visiting public places just to stay warm.

“Many people experiencing poverty in later life will feel their voices have not been heard today, with few policies that will quickly get financial support to them. For example, the UK Government could have widened the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility to include those receiving Housing Benefit, and committed to the annual uprating of Local Housing Allowance. 

“In the long-term, nobody should have to worry about their finances as they age. In the future we want to see national social tariffs for water and energy, this will help protect those on low incomes from spikes in costs like we have seen recently. It is also time for politicians to agree on what an adequate income in later life should be to avoid financial hardship. 

“Our latest polling found that 87% of people aged 65 and over think the UK Government doesn’t understand the issues facing older people, and sadly it is hard to see enough in this Budget that will change this view.”

Critically low energy usage hits fuel poor during cold weather

Some of the UK’s poorest households use 21% less energy during cold weather than other households, leaving them exposed to potentially dangerous cold damp homes, according to new research.

Research also finds that households on smart prepayment meters could not stay warm when it got really cold and became disconnected from their energy.

Those most affected were households identified as vulnerable and listed on the Priority Services Register – the sick, disabled, elderly and young.

The analysis has been conducted by a group of academics from the UCL Energy Institute, University of Oxford Environmental Change Institute and Cambridge Architectural Research.

Eoghan McKenna of the UCL Energy Institute said:

“We know that these fuel poor households are living in colder homes, and that they cut back on their heating in response to the rise in energy prices.”

Academics found that the poorest households are those least able to respond to the coldest weather and examined the Cold Weather Payments system. This pays out £25 to eligible households after there has been a week of below freezing weather, but was found that it covered less than half the extra cost of keeping warm during a cold snap.

The scheme was condemned by a House of Commons Energy Committee report as “an outdated, old-fashioned scheme.”

As reported exclusively in the Mirror, the new paper recommends that an Extreme Weather Payment system is set up that credits the energy account of all eligible households on every day that the Met Office declares the minimum temperature will be -4 degrees Celsius or lower on the following day.

The payment of £10 per day would be made in advance of the cold weather, on a daily basis. It should be available to all vulnerable households to offset the extra cold and existing fuel poverty.

Dr Tina Fawcett of the Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University, said:

“This simple change, which will not be expensive, will help households stay warm when it really matters. It will ensure the Government can deliver the right support at the right time.”

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:

“Exposure to critically low levels of energy use in fuel poor households means that they are not heating their homes to an adequate level – leaving them to live in cold, damp conditions.

“While energy saving through better insulation and ventilation of properties is part of the long term solution to people living in cold damp homes, we need emergency support for households for foreseeable winters.

“For a Chancellor suffering from the political fallout from the Winter Fuel Payment cuts, a modern, updated, compassionate level of support during cold weather should be an obvious step to take.”

Jason Palmer from Cambridge Architectural Research and UCL added:

“It is extremely worrying that households in fuel poverty are cutting energy use compared to other households when it is coldest. This puts their health, and ultimately their lives, at risk.”

ENDS

Brief report available to download: Cold Weather Payments Analysis

Public support for energy social tariff surges ahead of the Budget

A huge majority of the public back the Government providing more support to vulnerable households with their energy bills. [1]

Following the Chancellor’s removal of the Winter Fuel Payment from most pensioners, 67% of the public now want to see Ministers take action to boost other energy bill help.

Three quarters of the public (75%) also back the Government bringing in a social tariff to provide a discount on energy bills to those in greatest need of help.

The new polling by Opinium for the Warm This Winter campaign reveals that support for a social tariff has surged from 57% of the public backing the move in a similar poll published before the General Election.  

In the new figures, while 12% don’t know if they back the move, 13% oppose the plan. 

A social tariff offers lasting protection to those who depend on heating and electricity the most for their health and well-being, reducing the unit cost they pay and shielding them from volatile and persistently high energy costs.

In the run-up to the 2024 election, the Labour Party committed to deliver a “fairer energy system for everyone” and over half (55%) of Labour voters said that this made them more likely to vote for the party in July’s election. [2]

But after many pensioners have now seen their winter fuel payments removed, 78% of the public called for a social tariff to be made available to older people. 

86% felt that those who are dependent on powered medical equipment in order to stay healthy at home (e.g. dialysis machines, oxygen concentrators, artificial ventilators) or rely on energy to power equipment (e.g. charge wheelchairs, run fridges for medicines) should get the tariff.

Similar high levels of support were found for the social tariff going to those who have respiratory diseases (81%), have cardiovascular disease (77%), have a disability (76%), are financially vulnerable (72%) or are at risk from not using energy due to money worries (69%).

As in previous polling, the public backed the social tariff being paid for by the energy industry (producers, networks and suppliers). There was also support for the cost being split between industry and general taxation. 

The most recent energy industry profits tracker shows that over £457bn in profits have been generated by firms since the start of the energy bills crisis. Over £1,200 per household in profit has been generated by network operators and transmission firms alone. [3]

There was almost no support for it being fully funded by spreading the costs across everyone else’s energy bills, which is usually what happens with support schemes at present.

Warm This Winter campaign manager, Caroline Simpson, commented:

“The public believe that a social tariff must be implemented and this needs to be done as soon as possible to avoid more scenes of vulnerable people living in cold damp homes every winter. Hard-pressed bill payers also want to see this programme paid for by energy industry profits.

“Most also agree the only way to bring down everyone’s bills in the long term is to help households reduce their energy use, by insulating and ventilating the UK’s housing, which is some of the leakiest in Europe. But in the meantime we must ensure we protect the most vulnerable people in our society from the continuing high cost of energy driven by volatile gas prices.”

In the run-up to the 2024 election, the Labour Party committed to deliver a “fairer energy system for everyone” and over half (55%) of Labour voters say that this made them more likely to vote for the party in July’s election. 

But after many pensioners have now seen their winter fuel payments removed, 78% of the public called for a social tariff to be made available to elderly people. 

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition commented:

“This autumn is being dominated by the Chancellor’s cold hearted decision to remove Winter Fuel Payments from elderly people which we know will hit those with disabilities and pre-existing health conditions very hard indeed.

“But not only is this the wrong policy from a public health perspective, it also flies against popular opinion.

“Protecting vulnerable consumers from energy prices that remain way above 2021 levels is a popular and easy to implement policy. The Government must now prioritise delivering a social tariff while its longer term reforms to boost renewables and its Warm Homes Plan have the time needed to deliver results.

“The public would support this being paid for by the whole energy industry. Producers, transmission firms, network operators, market traders, suppliers and their supply chains could all chip in through their profits to make this happen.”

David Southgate, policy manager at disability equality charity Scope, said:

“It’s clear there is widespread support for making energy bills much fairer for disabled people. The government must listen.

“Life costs a lot more when you’re disabled. Disabled people have to spend more of their income on energy and continually face eye-watering bills. For charging vital equipment like wheelchairs, hoists and breathing equipment, or for more heating to stay warm and well.

“Disabled households are now beyond breaking point. They have cut back everything they can and are increasingly forced into unmanageable debt.

“That’s why Scope continues to call for discounted bills for disabled people. This would finally put an end to the impossible situation millions of disabled people face trying to make ends meet.”

ENDS

[1] Opinium conducted an online survey of 2,014 nationally and politically representative UK adults between 7th and 8th October 2024

[2] 32% of 2024 Labour voters said it made no difference to their vote or they didn’t know. 7% said it made them less likely to vote Labour, but did so anyway.

[3] Data as at 3 September 2024. Researchers examined the declared profits of the 20 firms the End Fuel Poverty Coalition is most asked to comment on. This sample of the industry ranges from energy producers (such as Equinor and Shell) through to the firms that control our energy grid (such as National Grid, UK Power Networks and Cadent) as well as suppliers (such as British Gas). It does not include supply chains nor market trading firms.

Winter fuel payment cuts set to hit 84% of disabled pensioners

Over four-fifths (84%) of older people with a long-term health condition or disability claim they will no longer get Winter Fuel Payments according to new research. [1]

The figures, reported in the Daily Express, suggest that one in five (19%*) people who have long-term health conditions or disabilities, are over 66 and say they will no longer likely get Winter Fuel Payments claim that they are worried about their own safety because of the risks of living in a cold damp home this winter. This compares with 17% of the general public and 14% of all over 65s.

The figures* also indicate that those respondents who claim they are no longer eligible for Winter Fuel Payments and have a physical disability are more likely to live in a home that is often cold and damp than the general population.

81% of older people who are already worried about cold and damp in their own homes claim they will not get Winter Fuel Payments.

While owner occupiers are most likely to no longer get Winter Fuel Payments, 77% of older people who rent will miss out, with those in social housing* especially affected by the cuts.

Commenting on the figures, a spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:

“The data is yet another warning sign. The indications are that older people who no longer get the Winter Fuel Payment are more likely to suffer in cold damp homes this winter than the general public. 

“For those pensioners with a physical disability, the situation is potentially even worse. Many do not have access to the means tested benefits needed to claim the Winter Fuel Payment and the Government must urgently assess the impact on this group in particular and provide more support for them.

“Until the Government fully implements its plans to improve insulation and ventilation of buildings as well as stabilise energy costs, vulnerable households will continue to need financial support. 

“That’s why the Winter Fuel Payments were so important. The money provided help for older households to stay warm each winter. Sadly, now more older people are expected to live in cold damp homes this winter and this puts them at greater risk of ill health, with over quarter of a million older people becoming so ill they will be forced to the doors of the NHS.”

James Taylor, Scope’s executive director of strategy and social change, said:  

“These findings are a shocking indictment of a plan that will leave older disabled people in an impossible situation this winter.

“Life already costs more when you’re disabled. Higher electricity bills because of medical equipment to power. Higher heating bills because of health conditions affected by the cold. 

“Since the start of this crisis, we’ve heard from disabled people who are going without heating and forgoing medical treatment. Sacrifices that put their health at risk. 

“While some disabled pensioners receive pension credit, there are an alarming number who will miss out this winter. We’d urge anyone who thinks they could be eligible to apply, or to get in touch with our helpline for advice. 

“We desperately need a longer-term solution for the eye-watering energy costs many disabled people face, which is why we’re calling for the government to bring in discounted bills for disabled households.”

ENDS

[1] Winter Fuel Payment research by Opinium (undertaken 7-8 Oct 2024, sample of 2,014, weighted to be politically and nationally representative). 

Among respondents aged over 66, 88% say they do not receive a qualifying benefit and, therefore, will no longer get the Winter Fuel Payment in winter 2024/25. 2% preferred not to answer or did not know, leaving 10% saying they are on a qualifying benefit.

 2024 voting behaviour

90% of Labour voters aged over 66 claim they will no longer get the Winter Fuel Payment

89% of Conservative voters aged over 66 claim they will no longer get the Winter Fuel Payment

96% of Lib Dem voters aged over 66 claim they will no longer get the Winter Fuel Payment*

80% of Reform voters aged over 66 claim they will no longer get the Winter Fuel Payment

Region

93% of Scots aged over 66 claim they will no longer get the Winter Fuel Payment*

91% of people aged over 66 and living in southern England claim they will no longer get the Winter Fuel Payment

88% of people aged over 66 and living in London claim they will no longer get the Winter Fuel Payment*

87% of people aged over 66 and living in the English Midlands claim they will no longer get the Winter Fuel Payment

85% of people aged over 66 and living in northern England claim they will no longer get the Winter Fuel Payment

81% of people aged over 66 and living in Wales or Northern Ireland claim they will no longer get the Winter Fuel Payment*

* indicates that the base sample is below 50 and caution should be taken in using or reporting on this figure with more detailed research required to confirm the findings.

Cold damp homes cost to NHS estimated as energy price cap rises

New estimates predict that cuts to the winter fuel payment could lead to increased costs to the NHS. [1]

The analysis, first reported in the Daily Express, suggests that in 2024, the total cost to the NHS for treating pensioners in cold, damp homes may reach at least £1.5bn a year, with c.2.3m older people living in poor housing conditions.

Within these figures, an estimated 262,000 pensioners will live in cold damp homes due to the decision to axe winter fuel payments. This alone could cost the health service more than £169m a year, the research suggests.

The news comes as energy bills are set to increase for all households by 10% from 1 October.

This will leave the average household paying around 65% more for their energy than in winter 2020/21 and comes on top of years of the wider cost of living crisis, meaning households have less ability to pay these high prices. Energy debt has now hit £3.7bn according to Ofgem figures published last week.

For pensioners who previously had winter fuel payments, but now miss out, energy prices will seem higher than at any point in their lives. Those missing out on Winter Fuel Payments this year include 1.2m pensioners in absolute poverty and 1.6m disabled older people.

As personal finance experts point out, the increase in the triple lock does not replace the winter fuel payment and Uswitch.com estimate 752,000 older people will not use heating at all this winter.

Among the wider public, National Energy Action has calculated that around half of households will be rationing their energy use.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition commented:

“We’re now heading into the fourth winter of sky high energy prices, meaning the average household will have paid more than £2,500 extra for their energy than had we not been so exposed to volatile 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.

“The long term way to reduce the costs to the NHS of people living in cold damp homes is to improve insulation and ventilation of buildings as well as stabilise energy costs by getting the country away from being hooked on volatile gas prices.

“But until the Government fully implements its positive plans in these areas, vulnerable households will continue to need financial support. That’s why the Winter Fuel Payments were so important, the money provided help for older households to stay warm each winter.

“Sadly, now more older people are expected to live in cold damp homes this winter and this puts them at greater risk of ill health, meaning the costs to the NHS will soar.”

Caroline Simpson, Warm This Winter campaign spokesperson added:

“This 10 percent price cap rise is yet another blow that households can ill afford, especially when energy companies are raking in billions in profits every week.

“People want to see a transition to renewables, they want to see an end to being reliant on unscrupulous gas giants which is leading to them having to choose between eating and heating and frankly that money needs to go back in people’s pockets.

“That’s why we are pleased this government is taking great steps to end the broken energy system they inherited, but they must also help households who simply cannot afford to continue paying 65% more than they were three years ago on energy bills and look at help such as a social tariff. If they’re looking at how to fund it,  these profiteering energy companies would be a good place to start.”

Jan Shortt, general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention, said:

“The loss of the winter fuel allowance for the majority of older people clearly puts them at risk. It is a known fact that older people require warmth and a stable temperature to maintain their health.

“Living in cold, damp homes heightens the risk of strokes, heart disease, respiratory conditions and generally harms the rest of the body.

It therefore follows that the risk of overwhelming the NHS in winter is high and the cost of dealing with the consequences of the Government decision will be felt throughout the NHS and care sectors.”

Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams added:

“We’re hearing from older people worried about how they will cope without their winter fuel payment, including many on low and modest incomes who are planning to ration their heating this winter because they’re frightened how they’ll manage this winter.

“For an older person to be forced to live in a cold home is deeply worrying because it’s very bad for their health, especially if they are living with lung or heart conditions or are very frail.

“The consequences for them could be severe and we’re sure that we’ll see more older people going to hospital this winter as a result – the last thing they or the NHS needs.

“The Government must do more at the Budget to ensure pensioners can navigate the coming cold months safely and with their health intact, or the consequences will be felt by older people and the NHS.”

Morgan Vine, head of policy and influencing at Independent Age, warned that living in a cold and damp home can have “very serious implications” for OAPs:

“Many of the older people on a low income we speak to tell us they were already cutting back on heating before the announcement to means test the winter fuel payment.

“With the reality of now losing hundreds of pounds this winter, many have shared they will be making severe cutbacks including not turning the heating on at all.

“Others have told us they will reduce the amount they eat so they can turn the heating on for a few hours a day.

“It is unacceptable that people in later life are having to make dangerous sacrifices as we approach the colder months, and we are concerned that the demand for NHS services could increase as a result.”

ENDS

[1] Estimates and calculations available online in this pdf. The research was first reported in the Daily Express on 29/30 September 2024.

Ministers unveil plans to help renters, but winter fuel payments axe stays

The Energy Secretary has announced a plan to ensure warm homes for all renters  – in both private and social rented housing – in his speech to Labour’s annual conference.

What ministers claim is the “biggest boost to home energy standards in history” follows the Deputy Prime Minister’s confirmation of a raft of measures to ensure good quality homes for all.

Under the plans, landlords will be banned from renting out properties that don’t meet stricter energy efficiency standards.

Caroline Simpson, Warm This Winter campaign spokesperson, said:

“This is very welcome news. UK properties are some of the worst insulated in Europe, with millions of Brits currently condemned to living in cold, damp, mouldy homes they can’t afford to heat. With energy bills still 65% more than they were at the start of the energy crisis, home insulation is the quickest way to bring down bills, but is seldom prioritised by landlords.

“The government must now ensure the private rented sector meets its obligations to tenants, as well as ring fencing funding for local authorities to make these promised energy efficiency upgrades a reality for those living in social housing.”

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition commented:

“People in rented accommodation are almost twice as likely to live in cold damp homes compared with people who own their own properties. [1]

“The Energy Secretary is to be congratulated for recognising the importance of the need for better energy efficiency standards in rented homes, but the Government shouldn’t drag their heels with more consultations.

“This issue has been consulted on widely in the past and Ministers must move to take action. There is no time to waste as improvements will take months or years to be felt by tenants and the longer it takes, the more support households will need to stay warm in the winter.

“That’s why right now we also need to see the Government revoke cuts to the winter fuel payment for this year and commit to more support for vulnerable households so that everybody can stay warm this winter and next.”

However, in her speech, Rachel Reeves refused to back down on plans to cut Winter Fuel Payments from 1.2m pensioners in absolute poverty and for 1.6m older people with disabilities.

An End Fuel Poverty Coalition spokesperson added:

“The Chancellor doubled down on her gamble with older people’s lives to fill a budgetary black hole, which according to reports is £10bn less than was initially claimed. And that’s before the Government takes receipt of the £3bn which it is recovering from the collapse of one of the energy firms.

“While Rachael Reeves tries to claim that the triple lock on pensions is enough to replace Winter Fuel Payments, personal finance experts point out that the rise starts next April, when pensioners face an energy bills crisis now. Equally, there are up to 800,000 of the poorest pensioners who get less than the full state pension and don’t even get Pension Credit.

“And of course, the full rise only applies to the one in four pensioners who get the ‘new’ state pension.”

ENDS
[1]  Research by Opinium for Warm This Winter campaign among a representative sample of 2,000 UK adults in November 2023 found 13% of those who own outright and 12% of those who own with a mortgage live in cold damp homes. This compares with 25% of those who live in a private rented home, 23% rented from a local authority and 19% rented from a housing association.

MPs back dangerous winter fuel payments axe

MPs have approved plans to axe Winter Fuel Payments to millions of older households.

Politicians approved the measure despite recent research finding five out of every six pensioners living the below the poverty line will lose the support.

Age UK now estimate that at least 2.5m pensioners will suffer hardship as a result.

MPs who backed the cut have claimed that the Household Support Fund could pick up the slack, but this will involve local authorities removing the HSF help from other groups struggling with the cost of living.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:

“MPs have made the dangerous decision to condemn some of the most vulnerable pensioners to living in cold damp homes this winter.

“Many pensioners in poverty will now see energy bills higher than they have ever experienced in their lives.

“Parliamentarians and ministers should examine their conscience and the deluge of correspondence they have had on this issue from worried pensioners and back ways to mitigate the pain of the cut.

“We and others have given the government a number of ways they can target extra support to those pensioners most in need. One clear solution would be to extend eligibility to those on other forms of benefit and making more support available to vulnerable pensioners.

“But the Treasury could also look at a more comprehensive system of support for all of those living in cold damp homes, such as an emergency energy tariff or reform and expansion of the Cold Weather Payment system.”

Caroline Simpson, spokesperson for the Warm This Winter campaign commented

“The government needs to commit to keeping everybody warm this winter. Many people back some form of means testing for the Winter Fuel Payment, but scrapping it for all at short notice carries a very real risk of putting millions of vulnerable pensioners in harm’s way.

“While we back the government’s plans to prioritise home insulation which is the long term way to bring down everyone’s bills for good, no one should be forced to live in a cold damp home this winter.”

Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK added:

“We’re deeply disappointed, but not surprised, that the vote to brutally means-test Winter Fuel Payment was passed today. As soon as the Government announced it was instructing its MPs to support it this was the inevitable result, but we would like to thank all those in every party who voted against the policy or abstained.

“There’s been a lot of discussion about the Government’s decision, but at heart Age UK’s critique of their policy is really simple: we just don’t think it’s fair to remove the payment from the 2.5 million pensioners on low incomes who badly need it, and to do it so quickly this winter, at the same time as energy bills are rising by 10%.

“It is crystal clear that there is insufficient time to make any serious impact on the miserably low take-up of Pension Credit before the cold sets in this autumn, and the Government has brought forward no effective measures to support all those whose tiny occupational pensions take them just above the line to claim. It’s true they have agreed to extend the Household Support Fund until April and they deserve some credit for that, but the HSF is an all-age fund that you have to apply for, so we know it will only help a small proportion of all the pensioners who will be in need as a result of their policy change.

“The Government has also tried to suggest that the increase in State Pension for older people next year as a result of the Triple Lock means there’s no need to worry about how they will cope now, but that won’t help anyone this winter and most pensioners will not benefit to the extent being suggested – either because they are on the old State Pension which attracts less of an increase, or because they don’t qualify for a full State Pension in the first place.

“The reality is that driving through this policy as the Government is doing will make millions of poor pensioners poorer still and we are baffled as to why some Ministers are asserting that this is the right thing to do. We and many others are certain that it is not, and that’s why we will continue to stand with the pensioners who can’t afford to lose their payment and campaign for them to be given more Government support.

“Meanwhile, winter is coming and we fear it will be a deeply challenging one for millions of older people who have previously relied on their Winter Fuel Payment to help pay their energy bills and who have no obvious alternative source of funds on which to draw. As a charity we will do everything we can to help them, but with so many in need and no extra support on offer from the Government at the moment it’s looking like an incredibly uphill task.”

Energy giants see £457 billion profits as consumers’ bills rise

Just 20 energy companies have made a staggering £457 billion in profits since the start of the energy bills crisis. [1]

As of the end of August, following 2024 interim results, profits have amounted to over £457 billion since just before the energy crisis started. £61 billion has been posted in profits this year alone.

The staggering sums are revealed in the End Fuel Poverty Coalition’s updated profit tracker which examines profits made by a sample of companies that include energy producers (such as Equinor and Shell) through to the firms that control our energy grid (such as National Grid, UK Power Networks and National Gas Transmission) as well as suppliers (such as British Gas). It does not include supply chains or market trading firms.

Ofgem’s most recent Price Cap announcement indicated that energy bills will rise 10% from 1 October.

As part of this rise, the regulator indicated that suppliers will be able to make an additional 11% in profits on every standard variable tariff. Analysis of these figures suggest that supplier profits allowed through the Price Cap could amount to c.£1.2 billion over the next 12 months, enough to cover the cost of Winter Fuel Payments for almost all pensioners. [2]

Warm This Winter spokesperson Caroline Simpson said: 

“There are clearly an obscene level of profits being made and now energy suppliers have been given the green light to make a further £1.2 billion which is enough to cover the Winter Fuel Payment allowance for all pensioners.

“That’s why the government is right to take suppliers to task and ask them how they plan to help customers of all ages get through the winter ahead.

“We agree with the Government that we need to invest in homegrown renewable energy and an extensive programme of insulation to end this vicious cycle of bill shocks and reliance on volatile fossil fuels.”

A March 2024 Warm This Winter Tariff Watch report also called for improvements in transparency of the ownership of these firms after it found that British households had been boosting the profits of Chinese and Qatari Government-backed funds as the cost of the gas network has surged 38%.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition added: 

“As we’ve said all along, there is plenty of money in the energy system, but it never ends up in the hands of consumers who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

“Millions are now in energy debt, pensioners have had their Winter Fuel Payments taken away and yet shareholders are seeing returns running to the billions of pounds every year.

“The Government must step in to end this unfairness, bring about an end to energy debt, an extension of Warm Home Discounts and restore Winter Fuel Payments to more pensioners.”

The Warm This Winter campaign is urging the public to  join more than 4,500 people in writing to their MP or signing the 38 Degrees or Age UK petitions.

ENDS 

[1] The updated tracker is available online at https://www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/news/energy-firm-profits-tracker/ 

[2] Ofgem Price Cap decision, p4 https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-08/Summary_of_Changes_to_Energy_Price_Cap_1_October_to_31_December_2024.pdf. EBIT allowance from 1 October 2024 is £44 per standard variable tariff customer per year. Ofgem state that 27m customers are on a standard variable tariff. £44 * 27m = £1.19bn.