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Age Concern and Help the Aged comment on Ofgem's report on energy prices

Andrew Harrop‚ Head of Policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged‚ said:

'The steep increase in gas and electricity prices forecast by Ofgem is a frightening prospect for many older people on low incomes who spent last winter in cold homes cutting back on gas and electricity to make ends meet.

'Energy prices have gone up by more than 100 per cent since 2003 and energy companies have failed to pass the recent drop in wholesale prices on to customers. Now over two million pensioner households are bracing themselves for a winter in fuel poverty.

'While investment is needed to secure future gas and electricity supplies‚ at the same time energy companies must protect their most vulnerable customers from further price hikes.

'Meanwhile‚ the Government needs to scale up energy efficiency programmes to meet the target of making the country’s entire housing stock fuel poverty proof.'

Age Concern England and Help the Aged have joined together to form a single charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people.

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