Tag Archives: fuel poverty
Cold, lonely winter may cost 25,000 old people their lives
“Small things and a friendly face make all the difference to a family carer.”
Older people in the West Country are becoming increasingly isolated as neighbours fail to take notice of their basic needs.
According to a new report from the charity Age UK, one in four people aged 65 or more in the South West are not getting any help, support or companionship from people on their doorstep.
“It is a sad fact of life,” said Tom Williams, chairman of a Pensioners and 50-Plus Action Group in the region. “Times have changed and this has been happening more and more over the years. People are busy with their own lives and they don’t pop into each others houses any more.
He added: “We all know individuals who have children who live abroad, in America and Australia, and the chances are they aren’t coming back. These people are all right when they are living as a couple, but when one dies the survivor tends to get very lonely. It’s a real problem, but it’s hard to know what to do.”
Mr Williams, who is a keen advocate of over-50s getting more involved in their community, said older people were sometimes guilty of apathy themselves.
“It goes both ways. Older people need to get out more and be more vocal as well.”
Poorest families hit hardest by income squeeze
Carers struggle to survive and keep loved ones warm
Sunday 18 November 2012
The 10 per cent of UK households with the lowest income – £8,000 or less – have seen the biggest rise in the rate of inflation over the past year when the impact of soaring university tuition fees is stripped out, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Its research shows such households faced inflation of 2.49 per cent in the year to October, compared to just 2.1 per cent for the richest 10 per cent. This is because poorer families spend twice as much of their income on fuel, and four times as much on water, the accountant says.
Ministers to face MPs over energy tariff plan
Ministers will be forced to explain to MPs a pledge by the prime minister to make gas and electricity suppliers to offer customers their lowest tariffs.
The statement, expected at 10:30BST, follows an urgent question by Labour, who have been critical of the policy.
David Cameron told MPs that legislation would be brought before Parliament, amid concern over rising energy bills.
But later the Department for Energy said it was looking “at all options” to help customers get the best tariff.
BBC industry correspondent John Moylan says that on the face of it Mr Cameron’s announcement on Wednesday amounts to a major change in energy policy – instead of consumers having to seek out the best deals, firms would have to give customers the lowest tariff.
But there is still little detail on how this would actually work, our correspondent says.
