Two million pensioners don’t have enough savings to pay for this year’s rise in energy bills, new analysis shows.
Average yearly energy bills rose by nearly £700 last week, and experts are warning they could rise by another £630 in October.
And Labour ’s analysis of government data found thirty per cent of single pensioner households and nearly one in five pensioner couple households have savings of £1,500 or less.
That means around two million pensioners live in households with less in savings than this year’s increase in energy bills.
Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said: “The simple truth is Boris Johnson has betrayed Britain’s retirees.
“Not only have the Conservatives just imposed the biggest real terms cut to the state pension in 50 years, but they’ve done little to help the two million pensioners left high and dry without adequate savings who are now struggling with rocketing heating bills.
“With older people facing impossible choices, it’s time the Government adopt Labour’s costed plan to bring down energy bills.”
A Government spokesperson said: “We recognise the pressures people are facing with the cost of living, which is why we’re providing support worth £22 billion across the next financial year to help. This includes supporting over 11 million pensioners with their energy bills through our Winter Fuel Payments, cutting fuel duty and helping households through our £9.1 billion Energy Bills Rebate.
“The full yearly amount of the basic State Pension is now over £2,300 higher than in 2010 and we urge those retired to check whether they are also eligible for Pension Credit.”
