Heating costs set to hit more elderly people this winter, warns Highland Senior Citizen's Network as Inverness Courier launches End the Chill Campaign to highlight fuel poverty in the Highlands – one of Scotland's worst affected regions
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
More elderly people in the Highlands could find themselves struggling to heat their homes this winter, a campaign group has warned.
Dr Ian McNamara, chairman of the Highland Senior Citizen’s Network, says pensioners are among those at particular risk of fuel poverty.
“I am absolutely sure it is going to get worse,” he said.
He sounded the warning as Age Scotland – backed by other charities and organisations – called on the Scottish Government to give pensioners in poverty and on low incomes an extra £50 to help heat their homes this winter.
The Courier has also launched an End the Chill campaign highlighting the issues of fuel poverty in the Highlands.
It is already among the worst-affected regions in Scotland with 33 per cent of all households living in fuel poverty and 22 per cent deemed to be living in extreme fuel poverty – while a broad range of organisations have issued a stark warning saying for more people it will be a bleak choice between eat or heat this winter
Dr McNamara said heating costs were a particular worry for those on a basic UK state pension which was not keeping up with inflation due to the suspension of the triple lock formula.
“I think it is well known that the UK old age pension is almost at the bottom of the league in European nations,” he said.
“It is one of the poorest in Europe and has been for a long time.”
He also worried about those who were living alone in relative isolation who faced the choice of heating or eating, and might start to eat less which in turn led to loss of weight and other problems.
He acknowledged that people could seek advice on how to economise but did not feel there was a quick fix other than money.
Age Concern, meanwhile, is urging the Scottish Government to introduce a new £50 payment to help pensioners in poverty or on low and fixed incomes meet the increasing cost of heating their homes to a safe level.
It says a one-off payment would be a vital boost, making a significant difference to the wellbeing of older people on the lowest income during this challenging winter period brought on by rapidly rising energy prices, cost of living and inflation.
It estimates it would directly help more than 130,000 pensioners at a cost of £6.65 million, and would be a preventative spend to relieve the incredible pressure faced by the NHS and social care this winter.
The proposal is backed by Citizens Advice Scotland, Energy Action Scotland, the Scottish Older People’s Assembly, About Dementia, the Stroke Association, and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.
Age Scotland’s chief executive, Brian Sloan, said: "With temperatures dropping, older people on the lowest incomes desperately need reassurance that they can turn their heating up when it’s cold without the fear of being unable to afford the extra cost.
"An extra £50 could make all the difference to older people usually forced to tighten their belts to make it through the colder months.
"This one-off payment would not only offer much-needed peace of mind when it comes to energy bills, but ensuring older people can keep their homes warm through winter is also a strong preventative measure against respiratory illnesses, stroke and heart attack."
Frazer Scott, chief executive of Energy Action Scotland, said older households are more likely to be in fuel poverty and the proposed one-off payment of £50 was a small price to pay and would help to save lives.
"They need to heat their homes at higher temperatures and for longer to maintain their health and wellbeing," he said.
"Energy prices are impacting older people right now and that looks set to continue over the next year."
Derek Mitchell, chief executive of Citizens Advice Scotland, said: "People are facing a perfect storm this winter due to rising energy bills, higher prices in the shops, and the broader problems in the energy market, so we support this proposal from Age Scotland to ensure some protection for older people this winter.
"Making the payment direct as opposed to asking people to apply is also a worthwhile way to deliver this support, as we know older people may face barriers around digital exclusion."
Courier launches campaign to help fight fuel poverty
