Money expert Martin Lewis has warned older people that they are paying more to boil a kettle this winter.
Martin was speaking on the latest episode of The Martin Lewis Podcast when he sounded a warning to state pensioners and older people in particular that they face being ripped off for energy this winter, even for just making a cup of tea.
And now in a winter where state pensioners will lose their £300 Winter Fuel Payment by default as well, Martin outlined that he has ‘real concerns’ which the government is ‘not answering’ and that many will end up in a ‘desperate situation’ because those who do not claim Pension Credit are also exactly the type of customers who will not realise they can switch to a cheaper energy tariff.
Ofgem has just increased the price cap by 10 percent, adding £149 to bills this winter, but because Ofgem’s figures are based on wholesale prices from six months ago, fixed rate deals available on the market now are actually cheaper than the price cap.
In fact, some deals can wipe out the price cap increase entirely.
But Martin’s concern is that older people will not switch their deal – and at the same time, are also losing their Winter Fuel Payment.
Martin said that those who are on low incomes should be applying for Pension Credit, which will not only top up your income if you have under £11,400 a year as a pensioner, but will also make you eligible for the £300 Winter Fuel Payment.
But many still have not done so, and the people not claiming are also likely to still be on the more expensive variable energy tariff too.
He said: “There’s a struggling 90 year old grandpa out there who can’t switch who will be paying 10 percent more to boil a kettle than I am because I have moved to a cheaper switch.
“We will have 700,000 people on the lowest incomes, on incomes so low that government thinks should be getting the winter fuel payment, who will not be getting the winter fuel payment, and they will be in a desperate situation.
“They are also exactly the type of people who will not be switching to cut the price of their energy bills and I find that very difficult.”
Martin added that anyone who is vulnerable should make sure they are on the Priority Services Register, which means they can’t cut you off – you call up or do it online.
He added that you should also talk to your energy firm or local council who might be able to give you a cost of living payment from the Household Support Fund.
