More than 100,000 pensioner households are in energy debt, according to new analysis by the University of York. The research found that some 80,832 single older households and 29,219 couple elderly households in the UK have fallen behind with their fuel bills.
Campaigners warn of hidden suffering
Campaigners warn the findings are the tip of the iceberg, with many more pensioners taking desperate measures to avoid falling into arrears. Simon Francis, coordinator at the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: "The sheer number of older people suffering is staggering. Many in this generation dread the shame of owing money, so for more than 80,000 single pensioners to have slipped into arrears despite everything they do to avoid it, something has gone badly wrong."
"And they are only the ones we can count. Countless more are on the brink and even more will never let themselves fall into energy debt. Instead they go without. They sit alone in one cold room in winter, and go without so much as a fan in summer. They fear the next energy bill and are rationing every unit."
Triple lock and tax threshold under scrutiny
Dennis Reed, director of the Silver Voices campaign group, said the research highlights why the triple lock - which sees the state pension rise each year by whichever is higher out of inflation, earnings or 2.5% - must not be scrapped. He said: "These depressing figures show how much energy price hikes are impacting older people and make a mockery of claims that the triple lock is no longer needed.
"One hundred thousand are in debt but millions more are scrimping on food and energy use so that they don't go into hock themselves. Energy poverty is now a year round phenomenon for the older generations; I have had our members complaining that they cannot afford to run fans during the heatwaves, putting their health at risk."
Mr Reed called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to unfreeze the tax-free personal allowance at the Budget in October. The £12,570 personal allowance has been frozen for years, dragging pensioners on modest incomes into the taxman's net. Mr Reed said: "Andy Burnham has done nothing so far to alleviate cost-of-living pressures on pensioners, as the tiny £45 off VAT will be obliterated by more price increases. He must unfreeze the lower tax threshold in the Budget if he is serious about his priorities."
Impact on older people's health and wellbeing
Morgan Vine, director of policy and influencing at Independent Age, warned of the "difficult, damaging decisions" pensioners are taking to keep their heads above water. She said: "We’ve spoken to older people who have had to completely shut off their heating during cold spells to avoid going further into debt, who wake up very early to boil one kettle for the day, and who feel cold all the time during the winter. Our research has shown that 54% of older people living on a low income have found keeping up with their heating bill a struggle. This is not right.
"More can be done to make sure older people on a low income aren’t forced to make difficult, damaging decisions to stay afloat. The UK Government should introduce a targeted energy social tariff and increase the Warm Homes Discount from £150 to £400 so that older people in poverty can afford their essential energy costs without going into debt or dangerously cutting back."
Rising energy costs and record debt
The analysis is based on the Government's official household survey from 2024/25, which asked people if they had been in arrears with their fuel bills over the previous 12 months. The research found that around 1.1 million households in total across the UK had fallen behind on their energy bills.
But it predates the 13% hike in regulator Ofgem's energy price cap in July, which saw a typical home’s annual bill jump by £221 to £1,862 a year. It comes as household energy prices are expected to remain high throughout this winter amid the Middle East conflict. The price cap is forecast by analysts Cornwall Insight to rise by another 2% in October to £1,906 a year.
While July's hike came as the country has been experiencing a series of heatwaves, the October increase will hit as the weather turns colder and people are switching their heating back on. Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced last month that electricity bills will be VAT-free from October as part of a series of measures aimed at easing the cost-of-living crisis. But experts have warned that the move - which will save households around £45 a year - does not go far enough.
Debt to energy suppliers has reached a record high of £4.79 billion, according to the latest figures from regulator Ofgem. A government spokesperson said: "We are supporting pensioners and our commitment to the triple lock means millions will see their yearly State pension rise by up to £2,100. We’ve cut VAT on electricity to give households breathing space and the Energy Secretary will work to bring bills down for good."
