Elderly Utilities Customers Gear Up For Tough Winter

A vast majority of internet-savvy younger consumers will log on and search for the best deals in order to switch utilities suppliers, new research has found; while a significant proportion of older households are likely to be paying more than ever for their gas and electricity over the winter months.

According to the research, which was carried out by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) and funded by Age Concern and Help the Aged, pensioners are set to spend more on their utilities bills yet use less, with many set to take drastic action in order to keep their bills down.

Indeed, the study found that around one in four households with residents over the age of 65 are set to effectively seal off parts of their homes in order to cut back on fuel consumption, while many will even spend whole days in bed in the peak of winter so as to reduce their outgoings.

According to the authors of the report, this dire situation has come about on the back of recent price hikes in utilities bills, with even those households managing to secure a better deal by switching utilities suppliers likely to have seen their monthly bills rise by an average of 22 per cent since 2007.

Commenting on the trend, the head of public policy at the recently-merged Age Concern and Help the Aged, noted: "Not only does this demonstrate the problem of soaring energy costs in recent times, but is a warning to policy makers and others that vulnerable older people could be putting their health at risk in winter just to cut costs."

The energy industry watchdog Ofgem has now called on suppliers to explain why they haven't passed recent falls in the wholesale markets on to their customers, indicating that the most vulnerable of consumers, including the elderly and the unemployed, could be in line for an early Christmas present this winter.

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