COST OF LIVING CRISIS: Age Scotland demands urgent action as 'terrifying' new research by University of York reveals vast majority of pensioner couples in UK face fuel poverty
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Urgent action is needed to protect older people at risk of fuel poverty due to rapidly rising energy bills, Age Scotland has warned in the wake of new research described as "terrifying".
The charity says without preventative action, people will die.
The stark warning follows research by the University of York which revealed that more than 72 per cent of households in Scotland, and 86.4 per cent of pensioner couples in the UK, are expected to fall into fuel poverty in January next year.
Age Scotland’s Chief Executive, Brian Sloan, said: "The findings of this research and what they mean for older people in Scotland are nothing short of terrifying.
"Our worst fears are being realised, and this is before we get confirmation of the next Ofgem price cap announcement on Friday.
"Fuel poverty is now a very real threat for the majority of Scottish households, and the grim reality is that people will die without urgent preventative action from governments.
"Even the maximum cost of living payment is not enough to mitigate against these costs, and more must be done.
"We’re hearing from an increasing number of older people who are finding it near impossible to pay their energy bills, having cut down on all but the essentials, and who will now be at risk of falling into unmanageable debt as a result.
"These debts will become ever harder to clear as their outgoings from fixed incomes continue to rise.
"It’s more important than ever that older people are claiming every penny of financial support they are entitled to but lack of public awareness and ongoing barriers to claiming still have to be tackled."
More information can be found at entitlement calculator on the Age Scotland website.
There is also a free 0800 12 44 222 helpline which provides advice and signposts to available support, as well as carrying out a free entitlement check.
