Help to turn up the heat: The impact of rapidly rising energy bills on older people in Scotland
As energy prices spiral, most older people are worried about paying their energy bills now and in the months to come. Even before energy prices rose considerably last year, Age Scotland research found that these bills were cited as the biggest concern for older people who identified as feeling financially squeezed.
In January 2022, Age Scotland carried out a snap survey of older people to find out more about how the energy crisis will impact them. Of the 331 people who responded, 94% reported that they were worried about the cost of their energy bills.
218,000 older households live in fuel poverty 116,000 older households live in extreme fuel poverty 150,000 Scottish pensioners live in poverty
55% of over 55s surveyed in Age Scotland’s National Housing Survey 2020 were unaware of the three Scottish Government schemes to assist with energy efficiency.
Many older people reported that they would have to resort to turning off their heating or rationing its use – for instance by heating only one room or spending more time in bed – or cutting back on other essential purchases to afford their bills
