Older customers hit hard by rising energy prices - 15/07/2011
Older consumers are likely to be in need of cheap gas tariffs because price hikes from energy suppliers have left many in fuel poverty.
Michelle Mitchell, charity director at Age UK, said government figures show almost half (48.5 per cent) of people living in fuel poverty are aged over 60.
"What's more worrying is this figure only looks set to increase as energy companies announce further double digit per cent price increases, leaving more older people desperately trying to meet rising bills," she noted.
"Research shows many older people are forced to choose between eating and heating their homes, causing illness and in extreme cases, needless deaths."
Ms Mitchell called on the government to take urgent action to prevent a similar climb in financially struggling households next year, by rolling out energy efficiency programmes and reducing people's need for energy.
Meanwhile, British Gas' price rise is due to come into effect next month.
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