Millions of the oldest pensioners will be terrified to use any gas or electricity as costs continue to rocket. Those on the lowest incomes urgently need support now or they will face misery and destitution.
Incredibly, energy consultancy Auxilione has forecast that energy bills will hit £7,700 from April 2023.
War in Ukraine and global energy shortages mean that prices are set to go higher than previously predicted, it says.
Regulator Ofgem has announced recently that the energy price cap would increase from £1,971 to £3,549 for the average household, from October 1. If correct, Auxilione’s prediction could see that more than double.
Yet currently, the basic State Pension pays just £141.85 a week to those who retired before April 6, 2016. This is worth £7,376.20 a year for those who qualify for the full amount, although some will get additional State Pension on top.
Incredibly, that is less than the average predicted energy bill. It will leave precisely nothing for basic everyday costs, such as eating, council tax and water.
