Three in four pensioners are living in a cold home

Mibsy

Low income hereand absobloodylutrly freezing.. gonna get worse as landlord putting rent up next month. and water going up and food soaring again

So your problem is the rent. If you haven't already done so, talk to your council about getting help with this and also that your home is cold. Some benefits go under the radar and many don't know what is possible.

However, giving everyone a heating allowence does not solve one person's problems in another area.

Freya5

Jaxjacky

The DE are headlining from a survey carried out by Age UK, I’ve read the key points of said survey being used as back up support for their petition no No 10 Downing St, the petition calls for the reinstatement of the winter fuel allowance.
Whilst that survey supplies some figures from the over 60’s I know of plenty of people in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s who are also struggling with fuel bills, some in ill health and with young children.
Energy costs will probably increase around April when the price cap is reviewed, an issue across all age groups.

Younger people have a choice to go out and earn. They can also claim working benefits to help. If you are a pensioner just below the cut off line, you are stuffed.

IF they can find extra jobs.. there really aren't that many about especially for anyone over 50

Low income hereand absobloodylutrly freezing.. gonna get worse as landlord putting rent up next month. and water going up and food soaring again

I seem to remember when Reeves made her wfp announcement, that several posters said that they agreed with her, they gave theirs to charity, used it towards Christmas prezzies, gave it to DGC etc each year. Lucky them! For some of us it was a real help. It gave me £50 extra for the 4 coldest months of the year to bolster my energy allowance. I am single with a small workplace pension taking me above any extra help, but nowhere near £20,000. Single people need all the things that couples need, but on a single income. I know to the penny what my income and outgoings are each month. My food now costs more, so live off "yellow label" food. My energy allowance is the balance left after all the other costs are covered. This gave me a very small credit in November, which is now nearly gone. I live watching my smart meter every day, and when 1/30th of the monthly balance is used I know that I have to switch everything off and go to bed. I save my balance for the evening, I have no heating on during the day. I am frozen most of the time, in spite of thermals and layering. It is an existance, not a life. I struggle to see the point of carrying on at times, but focus on spring arriving. I know many of my friends are in similar circumstances. So from my experience many pensioners live in cold homes in spite of trying to be sensible about budgets. We don't all have comfortable retirements, even after working all out adult lives.

Well we haven’t found the 3 out of 4 on here have we ???

I'm not shivering,! I am an Oap. But with sensible management I can still afford to eat and heat my home. I wonder how many old people especially those, like me, who live alone, are scrimping on their own comforts to leave a legacy for their families. My 'children' have told me to spend my money now while I'm able. Their inheritance will be my house when I've gone. So I am keeping warm, buying enough food and whatever else i need. I am getting on a but so am determined to make the best of my life however much of it I have left. No use saving now, we cant take it with us.

I have never said Australia is ‘better’ than the UK. In many instances it is worse. Floods, fires and cyclones on a regular basis for one. We just accept that and continue. Financially it is not easy, especially for the young ones. The average price of a house round here is now around a million dollars and that is just average. As regards the heat and cold, many people spend a lot of time in the big shopping centres because they are cool and/or warm in our Winter. But I thought this thread was about the UK. Our leaders aren’t much chop but I have to say I do not like what Starmer and his henchman do, I think they are worse than ours. If the newspapers and social media don’t call them out, who would ?

Jaxjacky

The DE are headlining from a survey carried out by Age UK, I’ve read the key points of said survey being used as back up support for their petition no No 10 Downing St, the petition calls for the reinstatement of the winter fuel allowance.
Whilst that survey supplies some figures from the over 60’s I know of plenty of people in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s who are also struggling with fuel bills, some in ill health and with young children.
Energy costs will probably increase around April when the price cap is reviewed, an issue across all age groups.

Younger people have a choice to go out and earn. They can also claim working benefits to help. If you are a pensioner just below the cut off line, you are stuffed.

Allira

Many old people are frightened of spending their savings because they are keeping them aside in case they need care, in case they have large bills for maintenance on their home, white goods replacement, boiler replacement, and often for funeral costs.

Some of the posts on here are surprisingly ignorant of how many people, often widowed, do have to live.
I'm astonished. Just because obviously well-heeled people who were in well-paid professions with excellent pensions and know no-one in their peer group who might be struggling does not mean there are not millions of people who are having to watch their pennies and eke out their pensions.

Actually, on reflection, no, I'm not astonished because it's obvious they would never mix with those types of people.

Allira That is a very offensive thing to say. My friends include people on benefits and those managing on very small incomes. I do not subject new friends to a means test. What applies to me will apply to most older people.

I am also not a Virtue Signaller and would consider it demeaning to parade my less well off friends up and down as an example of my virtue in befriending them

I also have over 10 years experience working for a charity for the aged as a home visitor, mostly obtaining benefits for less well off and disabled older people.

My experience is such that my own income is irrelevant.

Older poorer people are not saints, they too are often their own worst enemies and some of them will make decisions that make a bad situation worse.

There is a big difference between having a carefully calculated sum saved somewhere accessible to deal with the replacing white goods, boilers, paying for funeral etc. that you access as necessary, and a sum of money, possible £20k-£40K that will make little or no contribution to paying for any care, that if reduced to £20K, can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient and mean that you will be entitled to means tested benefits, worth as much as £100 a week, and sometimes more, plus qualifying for WFA and other associated benefits.

I have seen the difference making this strategic decision to reduce savings just sufficiently to qualify for means tested benefits can make to someones comfort and security.

My state pension combined with my tiny pension from M&S ans a share of my late husband's pension take me over the limit for Pension Credit. Having the heating allowance was a nice extra, but I've got by without it. My son lives with me but, at the moment, is on a very low wage and doesn't contribute to any of the running costs except food. Having him here means I don't get a rebate on the Council Tax, but the mortgage is paid off so that's a big saving. I am a member of U3A and I've noticed that most of the members have no problem paying for expensive outings, theatre tickets,meals out, and holidays abroad. I'm sure there are also plenty of pensioners who are nothing like as well off. The whole system needs a rethink.

Nanna8 I have just spent 5 weeks in Perth WA with my brother who is 72. He tells me of people living in
their cars because they cannot get a place to live. A lot of them are single women. His state pension is means tested every fortnight so he does not know how much he is going to receive on a regular basis. He dies get some state help with fuel and costs for his solar heating.
I got friendly with some ladies my age, 74, and their means, concerns, worries were the same as mine so please don’t be negative about the UK where you haven’t lived for a long time . Life down under is not hunky dory anymore .

I too agree with Doodledog & Growstuff.
My home is cold though, it's old & draughty & only me here during the day so I only put the CH on when DH comes home from work.
That said, I'm warmer this winter having taking early retirement at 64, than I was in the last 3 winters WFH full-time & not moving around as stuck at a PC.I can always go down & do some admin at DH's business (which is much warmer) if I get too cold during the day now!

All my friends are pensioners and although have felt cold this winter due to the low temperatures, especially here in West Yorkshire, nobody is without heat. All surveys can be fixed to suit the headlines plus it really depends on who is replying to the questions.

Doodledog

pomegranatejuice

The right wing Daily Express has never cared about welfare when the Tories were in office. I wonder why the sudden Volte -Face? The sheer disingenuity displayed by not making the sampling clear..and making it clear that it only refers to those with incomes under £20,000. I note too they make no suggestion of renationalising our energy, o r offering to cut their own dividends, or cutting salaries of CEOs. Suddenly it is the fault of the incoming government. I have been impressed with the drive to get pensioners to claim pension credit, and there has been massive uptake. Put the Express back in the toilet where it belongs.

This is exactly my perspective - nothing to do with whether or not I am 'well-heeled' or know 'poor people' 🙄.

The headline doesn't bear scrutiny, and it definitely seems to me that the outrage at it is exactly the opposite of the views often expressed on here about benefits when it is younger people who need them, or when benefits were being cut by the previous government. It comes across as another stick with which to beat the Labour government, and possibly anger at losing £200, whether or not it was being spent on heating.

My irritation is with the willingness to swallow such clearly biased headlines. That does not mean that I think any older people should be cold, just as I don't think young people should struggle, or children go without breakfast. The only way to get around that is to raise taxes though, and that would infuriate many of the people who are indignant now.

I agree with you Doodledog and have written as much in the past, but I'm tired of bashing my head against a brick wall (I'm not very keen on headaches ).

I live in France, in a badly insulated property and although
there are grants available I have left it too late as you have
to not sell the property for 5 years after receiving the money.
I have managed in previous winters but now the heating costs
have soared so I have become 'a scrooge' as I want to sell.
Many comments on here have appalled me. Thank goodness
for the posts by Allira, Piskey and Wendy who have a better
understanding of those who are on their own and not enjoying a retirement with holidays and heating

Doodledog My irritation is with the willingness to swallow such clearly biased headlines. That does not mean that I think any older people should be cold, just as I don't think young people should struggle, or children go without breakfast. The only way to get around that is to raise taxes though, and that would infuriate many of the people who are indignant now.

Agreed well said as usual Doodledog.

Yes, I too live on my own, with a small pension. Oh to have a husband or partner to share the expenses. I'm old, cold and fed up at the moment. I know things will get better soon weather wise but it seems a long way off.

ather.

Well I live in a Victorian large house with no central heating but I am seen as very unusual all my similar aged friends live in warm houses so I m not at all sure how they come up with two out of three I don’t live amongst rich people at all very average but none of us are freezing
I keep one room cosy and it really isn’t too much of a problem for me at all
( by the way I m one of the ‘just overs’ but I don’t resent it ….it is what it is I will adapt and survive 🤣🤣)

pomegranatejuice

The right wing Daily Express has never cared about welfare when the Tories were in office. I wonder why the sudden Volte -Face? The sheer disingenuity displayed by not making the sampling clear..and making it clear that it only refers to those with incomes under £20,000. I note too they make no suggestion of renationalising our energy, o r offering to cut their own dividends, or cutting salaries of CEOs. Suddenly it is the fault of the incoming government. I have been impressed with the drive to get pensioners to claim pension credit, and there has been massive uptake. Put the Express back in the toilet where it belongs.

This is exactly my perspective - nothing to do with whether or not I am 'well-heeled' or know 'poor people' 🙄.

The headline doesn't bear scrutiny, and it definitely seems to me that the outrage at it is exactly the opposite of the views often expressed on here about benefits when it is younger people who need them, or when benefits were being cut by the previous government. It comes across as another stick with which to beat the Labour government, and possibly anger at losing £200, whether or not it was being spent on heating.

My irritation is with the willingness to swallow such clearly biased headlines. That does not mean that I think any older people should be cold, just as I don't think young people should struggle, or children go without breakfast. The only way to get around that is to raise taxes though, and that would infuriate many of the people who are indignant now.

I keep my house cold for fear of bills, and so do all my single women friends.

We all worked in the same sector - arts / charities, so have crap private pensions. We are all single so are having to bear all the household overheads on one person's pension.

I COULD spend more on heat now, but I am currently fit and active and can get out and about to keep warm by walking or going to the library. I want to be able to afford to heat my home to a good level all day once I am more frail.

Currently I have the heat on for two hours morning and evening, set to a max of 17'. I watch TV under a blanket and wear fingerless mittens to type / read.

I could afford more heat on my current budget if I gave up my small modest car and gym membership - but both add a lot of quality of life at the moment.

There are plenty of pensioners who struggle. It's quite frightening at the moment - my pension pot took a deep plunge when the Ukraine war started and is only picking up now. But who knows what could happen with such instability in the world?

It's a very different feeling if you share your household overheads with another person, and if you have a secure Direct Benefit pension .

For now my best friend and I both manage in 17' heat, swathe ourselves in blankets to watch TV and swap keeping warm tips. I can manage but I am sick to death of people dismissing the effects of abolishing the WFA.

Witzend

Whitewavemark2

Witzend

I’d be interested to know where they get that 3 out of 4 figure from. How many pensioners did they actually ask?

It is wrong! I would waste any more time on it.

Admittedly I probably move largely in somewhat more comfortable circles, but I don’t know anyone among family or friends who’d fall onto the ‘cold through poverty’ bracket.

However I’ve known older people in the past who were too mean to have the heating on, or to have it on high enough, even though they could perfectly well afford it.

The Scrooge factor - I dare there’s still some of it about.

My auntie had a friend like that, it was said they were so mean they shared a boiled egg 🙄

Silverbrooks

Greciangirl

The Winter Fuel payment is only £200, so it might possibly pay for a couple of bills, but wouldn’t necessarily see you through the whole winter time.

In late 2022 and 2023, all pensioners received a WFP boosted by a cost of living payment to £500 (or £600 for those 80 and over) because of the energy crisis.

Also, all householders were given an additional £400 in six monthly instalments under the Energy Benefit Support Scheme paid over October 2022 to March 2023. Again it was to help with the energy crisis when the energy price cap rose to £4279. By July 2024 the cap had reduced to £1,568.

The WFP was always going to be back to £200 (or £300 for those 80 or over) in 2024.

Maybe some people didn’t realise this and had been budgeting for another £500/£600.

People on grid are more or less forced by energy suppliers to set their direct debits at an amount equal to one twelfth of the estimated annual useage so they should be building a credit over the warmer months towards the colder months. It seems a sensible thing to do to spread the cost.

I think some posters expect all older or elderly people to be on the ball, fit and well able to find out about their rights and able to manage their (sometimes meagre) income.

The other aspect of this is the psychological impact that removing this allowance, with so little notice, has had on some elderly people who were relying on it. It was like a security blanket, knowing they could put the heating or fire on and the money was there in their bank account to pay the bill. That was suddenly snatched away

I am also 1

I am one..use my halogen heater.

Greciangirl

The Winter Fuel payment is only £200, so it might possibly pay for a couple of bills, but wouldn’t necessarily see you through the whole winter time.

In late 2022 and 2023, all pensioners received a WFP boosted by a cost of living payment to £500 (or £600 for those 80 and over) because of the energy crisis.

Also, all householders were given an additional £400 in six monthly instalments under the Energy Benefit Support Scheme paid over October 2022 to March 2023. Again it was to help with the energy crisis when the energy price cap rose to £4279. By July 2024 the cap had reduced to £1,568.

The WFP was always going to be back to £200 (or £300 for those 80 or over) in 2024.

Maybe some people didn’t realise this and had been budgeting for another £500/£600.

People on grid are more or less forced by energy suppliers to set their direct debits at an amount equal to one twelfth of the estimated annual useage so they should be building a credit over the warmer months towards the colder months. It seems a sensible thing to do to spread the cost.