Emergency energy bill support needed to protect elderly residents, commissioner warns

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Emergency energy bill support must be reintroduced to prevent vulnerable older people falling into financial hardship this winter, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has warned.

Rhian Bowen-Davies called on both the UK and Welsh governments to intervene following forecasts that household energy bills could jump by up to 25% in January.

Ms Bowen-Davies warned that price increases on this scale would force households to make dangerous cuts to heating and basic essentials.

She said: “This increase will push greater numbers of older people into hardship and poverty and force households across Wales to cut back even further on heating and other essentials, something we know puts people’s health at significant risk and creates further pressures on public services.”

The commissioner urged ministers in Westminster to establish emergency bill relief similar to schemes introduced during previous energy spikes.

She also called on the Welsh Government to set up a dedicated resilience fund to help households that miss out on standard welfare support.

“Given the potential size of the increase in the new year, the UK Government should consider providing some form of emergency support for energy bills, similar to support provided in previous years, to prevent older people who are struggling financially from reaching crisis point,” she said.

“The Welsh Government also has a vital role to play and should explore the mechanisms available to provide additional support to older people, as has been delivered previously, alongside establishing a resilience fund to provide emergency assistance, particularly to those who are struggling but do not qualify for other forms of support.”

Alongside calls for government action, Ms Bowen-Davies highlighted that around £200 million in Pension Credit went unclaimed across Wales last year, with eligible households missing out on an average of £4,300 annually.

She added: “It’s important to remember that even a small award can unlock wider support, including help with council tax, housing costs, dental and eye treatment and a free TV licence.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said it recognised “these are challenging times” for older people, and said it was “determined to do all we can to prevent people from going into poverty”.

They continued: “We are using every tool available to us to help households cope with their energy bills – this year we are investing more than £37m in our Nest scheme to help low-income families escape cold, damp conditions, and continue to invest in direct support through fuel vouchers and heating assistance.” 

The spokesperson called on the UK Government to introduce a social tariff to support low-income households, and said energy suppliers “must also do everything they can to help customers who are finding it difficult to pay their bills”.  

A UK Government spokesperson said: “Our commitment to the triple lock means millions of older people will see their yearly State pension rise by up to £2,100.

“We’ve cut VAT on electricity to give households breathing space, on top of the £150 we removed from bills earlier this year, and are working to bring bills down for good.”