Pensioners throughout the UK are scrambling to buy heat-saving gear as the federal government prepares to chop winter gas funds for tens of millions. DIY shops have reported a surge in gross sales as households search for methods to scale back power payments forward of the colder months.
New knowledge from B&Q reveals a close to 20% rise in gross sales of loft insulation over the previous 4 weeks in contrast with the identical time final yr. Wickes has additionally seen a rise in demand for quick-fix options corresponding to insulation and energy-efficient lighting, as households race to retrofit their properties earlier than the cuts take impact.
The rise in gross sales comes amid considerations about rising power prices. From 1 October, the standard family power invoice will improve by £149, bringing the whole annual invoice to £1,717 attributable to a hike within the value cap. On the identical time, the federal government will scrap winter gas funds, value as much as £300, for 10 million pensioners beginning in November.
Analysts say that pensioners, fearing the impression of those adjustments, are searching for alternative routes to maintain their properties heat. Richard Lim of Retail Economics famous: “It makes logical sense for people who were expecting this winter fuel allowance to try to seek alternatives to reduce their energy bills.”
Labour has acknowledged that if it had been in energy, it might limit the winter gas fee to pensioners receiving pension credit score, which applies to these incomes as much as £218 every week. This transfer is predicted to avoid wasting the federal government £1.4 billion yearly however has sparked fears that tens of millions of aged folks could wrestle to afford their heating.
Age UK estimates that round 2 million pensioners may discover it troublesome to warmth their properties this winter as a result of lack of the winter gas fee. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, mentioned, “We’re hearing very worrying comments about how older people are frightened for the months ahead and plan to ration their heating this winter because they’ve lost their winter fuel payment.”
In response, Age UK is advising pensioners to take steps corresponding to blocking drafts and putting rugs on exhausting flooring to retain heat. Labour’s earlier estimates from 2017 warned that 1000’s of pensioners may die if the winter gas fee was scrapped.
The uptick in insulation gross sales additionally displays a broader pattern, with households more and more making ready for excessive climate occasions as local weather change continues to convey unpredictable climate patterns.
A Division for Work and Pensions spokesperson acknowledged, “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their full new state pension rise by £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.” The federal government additionally highlighted that over 1 million pensioners will nonetheless obtain the winter gas fee, with many others benefitting from the £150 heat residence low cost and prolonged family assist fund to assist with power payments this winter.
