Jean Hull, a 73-year-old pensioner from Grangetown in Sunderland, has revealed that she only ate seven hot meals last year because she cannot afford her energy bill. She said that rooms in her home often drop to 10°C (50°F), far below the recommended room temperature of 18-21°C. Mrs.
Hull expressed frustration at changes to the winter fuel allowance, calling them “wrong” and stating that promises to pensioners had been “broken.” The government responded, saying it was supporting older people, with one million pensioners still receiving the payment this winter. However, warm hubs across Sunderland have seen a rise in elderly individuals seeking their services since the allowance was modified. Mrs. Hull, who lost her husband John on Christmas Eve five years ago, said her fuel bill was £100 per month.
“I have to go to bed just to keep warm; there’s nothing else you can do,” she said. “But you just have to get on, that’s all you can do.” To combat the cold, she also wears multiple layers of clothing at home.
Pensioners face rising winter costs
Mrs. Hull regularly attends warm hubs run by the Pallion Action Group. “It is a lifeline; you get the support and help you need,” she said.
“You can trust them. If I ever need to call them, they’re straight on the phone offering me advice.”
Karen Noble, the manager of Pallion Action Group, noted an increase in the number of vulnerable people seeking advice and support. “We knew winter was coming and people were going to struggle, so we got things like draught excluders and are ready with practical advice,” Noble said.
The situation highlights the ongoing struggle many pensioners face during the winter months, as they balance heating costs with other essential expenses. The changes to the winter fuel allowance have added an additional layer of hardship for many.