Over-65s urged to switch as 3m turn off heating
MILLIONS of older people have cut back on heating their homes this winter because of worries they cannot afford their energy bills.
Nearly 2.8 million (17 per cent) of over-65s fear they will not be able to cover their household bills with their income or pension alone, according to research by comparethemarket.com.
The comparison website is urging pensioners to switch providers to get a better deal and save money.
The company’s Peter Earl said: “These findings should make sober reading for policy makers and energy company chiefs alike.
“We hear a lot of commentary about how today’s over-65s are more financially secure than previous generations, but such a broad-brush perception risks leaving millions of elderly people out in the cold and overpaying for their energy in silence.”
He added that over-65s pay “disproportionately over the odds”, with research showing that 2.1 million are on standard variable tariffs (SVT).
Often these are the most expensive price plans offered by a supplier and the default for new customers if they don’t request a specific tariff. Mr Earl added: “If the average person over 65 on a SVT switched provider, the saving would be more than the annual cost of a TV licence.
“For those less comfortable online, switching to a cheaper supplier by phone or post is an option.”
From next month, 15 million households are set to pay at least £17 a year less after energy regulator Ofgem lowered the price cap to £1,162, or £1,200 for those with pre-payment meters.
Deals
A record one in five – or 6.4 million – households switched providers last year, found trade body Energy UK.
Ed Dodman, of the Energy Ombudsman, encouraged consumers to look at better deals.
He said: “Customer review sites and tools such as the Citizens Advice star ratings league table – which is based partly on Energy Ombudsman complaints data – will enable a consumer to make an informed decision.”
JAW blimey! Here’s a woman wrestling with an alligator and hoping it won’t snap into action...
Ashley Lawrence, 32, splashed around with the dangerous reptile for six minutes. Using Native American techniques, she wowed crowds at the Freestyle Alligator Wrestling Competition in Florida.
Ashley, from Miami, said: “Being able to dig deep down in those moments and find that trust in yourself, in your own skills and hard work – that’s when you can calm the mind and let the body do what it’s been trained to do.”