Thousands of people in the city could be left struggling as energy bills rise. Energy regulator Ofgem has announced that prices are to increase by ten per cent from October. It comes just weeks after the Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended her decision to make the winter fuel payment available only to people who receive pension credit.
She said she had to make the "difficult decision" after being left with a £22 billion black hole in the public finances. Hundreds of thousands of pensions miss out on the winter fuel payments because they are not claiming pension credit. Pensioners are being urged to check if they are eligible for the credit, which qualifies them for the winter fuel payment worth up to £300.
Brighton and Hove Energy Services Co-operative, a social enterprise which has been tackling fuel poverty in the city since 2015, is expecting a challenging winter ahead. Chief executive Kayla Ente said: “Already one in ten households are unable to properly heat their home. This hike in energy costs coming at the same time that older people are losing the winter fuel payment will have a devastating impact on people’s health and wellbeing.
“We agree that the winter fuel payment needed to be better targeted, but introducing this change so quickly will suddenly remove a lifeline on which so many depend.” Previously, anyone above state pension age received the winter fuel payment automatically, which could be worth anything from £100 to £300 depending on age and circum.