Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots CBE, said:
“Today’s announcement that the energy price cap for an average household will increase to £3,549 from October will be very frightening for many older people throughout Wales.
“Older people have told me they are already cutting back on essentials in an effort to try and save money ahead of the winter, something that puts people’s health and well-being at significant risk, particularly as the weather worsens during the winter months.
“Without further action to provide crucial financial support to older people, we will see an increase in illness and physical conditions caused by cold housing and/or poor nutrition, as well as stress and anxiety created by financial concerns.
“This will mean older people needing care and support that could otherwise have been delayed or avoided, in addition to leading to unnecessary hospital admissions and, sadly, preventable deaths.
“The lack of further action to date from the government in Westminster in response to energy price projections, which indicate that average household energy costs could soon reach over £5,000 a year, will leave many older people feeling that they have been abandoned as they face costs and bills that it will be impossible for them to pay.
“The UK Government must now deliver immediate further financial support for older people as we head into what will be another difficult winter, as well as committing to delivering longer-term structural change to ensure that the State Pension and other financial entitlements provide a sufficient level of income for older people in future years.”
