Elderly pensioner, 84, facing £1,000 bill to keep warm this winter

An 84-year-old pensioner is facing energy bills of more than £1,000 this winter despite relying on his savings and the reduced Winter Fuel Payment to stay warm.

Barry Seckerson, who suffers from angina and arthritis, said he is forced to keep his heating on to manage his health.

The retired construction worker from Stoke-on-Trent expects his quarterly energy bill to quadruple compared to last year, meaning he could end up paying £1,000 or more.

“It is scandalous how they keep on putting prices up,” Barry told StokeonTrentLive.

“Even though the heating is on, I’ve still had to buy myself lined corduroy trousers and I wear a jumper to keep warm inside.”

Barry has also dipped into his emergency savings and is relying on his £300 Winter Fuel Payment to help cover his costs.

However, he is among the few pensioners who still qualify for the payment under new rules that have left millions without it and counts himself “lucky”.

The Labour government’s recent changes mean only the poorest pensioners, those receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits, are eligible for the payment.

Previously, more than 11.1 million pensioners in England and Wales received the assistance.

Now, fewer than 1.2 million qualify, leaving nearly 10 million without the crucial support.

Barry said he has already been forced to raid his funeral fund due to rising energy costs last winter.

“I’m saving up to pay my bills, but it’s very difficult. I know others are in an even worse position, so I feel lucky to get the payment at all.”

In Stoke-on-Trent, the impact has been stark. Last year, 41,742 residents received the Winter Fuel Payment, but just 6,331 are eligible under the new rules.

That means more than 35,000 pensioners in the city will miss out.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council estimates that around 2,000 pensioners in the area who are eligible for Pension Credit are not claiming it and are therefore unnecessarily missing out on the payment.

The council has launched an outreach campaign to encourage eligible residents to apply.

They have sent letters to those identified through council tax support and housing benefit data and have partnered with Citizens’ Advice to offer financial “MOTs.”

Flyers and social media campaigns are also being used to raise awareness.