Energy price inequality pointed out by charity

07/11/2008

The current emphasis on consumers switching energy suppliers to keep prices lower is leaving pensioners out in the cold, Age Concern said today.

According to the charity, over-65s are also penalised by having less access to cheap online energy deals.

Figures from Age Concern also show that just 20 per cent of people are likely to have switched their supplier this year, compared to the 18 per cent who did so last year.

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "Relying on people to switch suppliers to get the best deal without addressing the unfairness in energy pricing is not going to help those in fuel poverty.
"Pensioners are the most likely group to be fuel poor, yet are less likely to switch supplier or have access to cheap online deals and many pay higher rates because they pay by cash or cheque."

He added: "The government must take urgent action to help the one in three pensioner households in fuel poverty by taking action to end these pricing inequalities in its Pre-Budget Report."

Tags; Housing Debt and Bills, Retirement Money Problems,

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