Pensioner, 90, says he will have to shower once a week as government withdraws fuel payment and energy bills go up
23 August 2024, 16:54 | Updated: 23 August 2024, 19:06
A pensioner who faces a fuel payment cut says he worries about whether he will make it through the winter when energy prices go up.
Roy William Roots, 90, is among the estimated 10 million pensioners who are facing a cut to their £200 or £300 winter fuel payment, which will now only go to those who receive pension credit or other means-tested benefits.
It comes as industry regulator Ofgem said the energy price cap per household is set to rise by 10% in October to an annual average of £1,717.
The hike will see typical households spend £12 a month more, or £149 a year, on gas and electricity bills when using direct debit.
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Mr Roots, from Maidstone in Kent, said the news of energy bills going up further was "terrible".
The pensioner is already taking drastic measures to avoid being slapped with bills he can't afford, like cooking in batches for a few meals, doing the washing at 10pm and only putting the heating on in November.
He told Sky News: "Before I had a shower, I had a bath, and I used to have it up to my neck and lie in it for hours. But now I might shower every two to three days - I just can't afford to have it on."
Mr Roots, who has struggled with his mental health in the past, added: "It depresses me."
He added he is already starting to think about saving for the winter to make sure he will be able to plug the gap left by the government's decision to cut the winter fuel benefit.
Mr Roots said he will likely have to shower once a week or cook food for three or four days instead of two.
"It makes me feel horrible," Mr Roots said, adding he worries about whether he will be able to get through the winter when faced with choices like "do I cook or do I have my heating on?"
Addressing the Labour government, he said: "I'd want them to help us still. To be fair and help us out."
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Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley said: "We know that this rise in the price cap is going to be extremely difficult for many households.
"Anyone who is struggling to pay their bill should make sure they have access to all the benefits they are entitled to, particularly pension credit, and contact their energy company for further help and support."
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband admitted the rise in the cap was "deeply worrying" but defended the cuts to winter fuel payments.
He said: "The truth is that the mess that was left to us in the public finances is what necessitated that decision around winter fuel payment and us focusing it on those who need it the very most."
(c) Sky News 2024: Pensioner, 90, says he will have to shower once a week as government withdraws fuel payment and energy bills go up
