A national charity for older people, Age Scotland, is encouraging older Scots to check if they could save money by switching electricity providers and by having a quick benefit entitlement check by calling its free helpline.
With energy price hikes just announced, Age Scotland is hoping to save older people money by investigating the various tariffs available before winter arrives. Since April of this year, British Gas raised its price twice – adding a total £104 to the average bill. Other energy companies have also hiked prices between four and nine per cent. Research conducted by Age Scotland found that almost six in 10 single pensioners and four in 10 pensioner couples live in fuel poverty in Scotland – with those in rural areas most affected. Age Scotland’s chief executive Brian Sloan said: ‘It’s unacceptable that hundreds of thousands of older people could be putting their health at risk because they can’t afford to adequately heat their homes.
We know that cold homes put them at greater risk of ill health and even death over the winter months, exacerbating heart disease, respiratory conditions and dementia. Help is available. ‘It may be hard to think of the winter’s effects on our fuel bills during this recent heatwave, but with the hike in fuel costs this year you don’t want to be on the other side of a large bill at Christmas, or feel that you cannot afford to heat your home properly.