Doctor says patients 'wearing five layers of clothes' amid rising bills and winter fuel payment cuts

Experts have said that the expected 10% rise to energy bills will cause an “unacceptable level of prolonged hardship” for millions of families. Ofgem’s new energy price cap means energy bills are set to rise from 1 October. A typical household in England, Wales and Scotland will now pay £1,717 a year for gas and electricity, meaning a rise of £149.

The energy price cap doesn’t mean that your household bills can’t exceed £1,717 – some households will pay more and others less. It all depends on how much energy you use, as well as your circumstances like where you live and the energy efficiency of your property.

Every three months, the energy regulator reviews and updates the price cap to reflect changes in the cost of energy and inflation.

The rise in energy bills comes as cost of living payments for those on low incomes have come to an end, and winter fuel payments have been withdrawn for around 10 million pensioners. 

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While prices have fallen twice this year – in April and July – under Ofgem’s price cap, experts have claimed the 10% rise on 1 October will mean families having to cut down on heating their homes this winter.

“I’ve had patients coming in wearing five layers of clothes,” consultant geriatrician Dr Chris Hay, who is backing Fuel Poverty Action’s Energy For All campaign, said. “Many struggle to navigate the complicated benefits system and are slipping through the cracks.”

“I am concerned about their health and wellbeing as bills rise yet again,” he added.

“Not enough people know that the World Health Organization has very clear guidelines about indoor temperatures. To avoid serious risk of harm our homes should be kept between 18 and 21C at a minimum.

“There are protections in place to make sure that the water coming through our taps won’t make us ill. We need support in place to make sure everyone has enough energy for the heating they need to stay healthy.”

Fuel Poverty Action delivered its Energy For All petition to the government on Tuesday (1 October), stating: “We’re calling on the new government to do its duty and prevent energy starvation this winter. No one should have to struggle to survive in cold, damp homes.”

Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) found that in May 2024, a quarter of low-income households (2.9 million households) were unable to keep their home warm in the previous six months. It also found that many may have to choose between heating and eating this winter, with almost half of low-income households (46%) not being able to afford enough food in the previous 30 days.

Years of rising energy bills have also impacted household debt, with Ofgem claiming nearly £3.7bn is owed collectively in debt to energy companies.

JRF found that 4.3 million low-income households were behind on their household bills in May 2024.

“Today’s energy price cap rise looms over families who are forced to heat their homes less than they should,” Katie Schmuecker, principal policy adviser at JRF, said.

“It is more than three years since energy prices started to rise, creating an unacceptable level of prolonged hardship for millions of families who are still paying well above what they were before the cost-of-living crisis started.

“This looks like another winter of sleeping in a coat, not showering, and only cooking once a week, to try to keep the bills down.”

Schmuecker added that now cost-of-living payments have stopped, there must be an “urgent plan” for struggling families at the upcoming budget to stop people “going hungry and cold this winter”.

A government spokesperson told the Guardian: “We will do everything possible to support vulnerable families this winter – including with the £150 warm home discount expected to support three million eligible households, while around 1.3 million households in England and Wales will continue to receive up to £300 in winter fuel payments.

“Alongside this, our plans for the biggest potential boost to home energy standards are set to lift one million households out of fuel poverty.”

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