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Gas & Electricity Latest News Older people 'struggling with energy bills'

Older people 'struggling with energy bills'

Older people 'struggling with energy bills'

Recent inflation rises could cause further difficulties for older people already struggling to pay their utility bills, it has been asserted.

Keeping on top of gas and electricity costs is proving to be an area of difficulty for many older Britons, it has been suggested.

Andrew Harrop, head of policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged, states that while such consumers are already attempting to prepare "for a round of post-freeze energy bills", reports that inflation is rising could prove to be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

With the Consumer Price Index rise between November and December 2009 noted as being the largest ever annual rate increase to take place in between two months, he suggests that many low-income older people could struggle to pay for their electricity and gas bills.

Mr Harrop adds: "With the leap in inflation outstripping government's predictions, many older people relying on their state pension income will be worrying about whether their incomes will stretch to meet essential costs over the coming months."

He goes on to point out that although the basic state pension is set to increase, government plans to freeze other elements of the state pension should be reconsidered.

Britons concerned about how they will meet UK gas and electric commitments over the coming months may wish to take note of advice from lovemoney.com's Jane Baker who claimed that seeking out a new tariff could save people significant amounts of money.

By Ashley KingADNFCR-2079-ID-19566815-ADNFCR
Wednesday, 20 January 2010 00:00
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