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Fear among older and other vulnerable people is building as war in Ukraine aggravates energy costs that inflation had already pushed higher.
By Isabella Kwai
CLACTON-ON-SEA, England — The bills are mounting for Maureen Hart, a former librarian living on a fixed income after hip and back pain from a fall forced her into an early retirement.
The gas and electric bill for her bungalow in Clacton-on-Sea, a seaside town east of London, more than tripled in April, as utility bills did throughout Britain when a government cap on energy payments loosened. To save money and afford the help she needs to wash her hair and clean, Ms. Hart, 77, is cutting back on taxi rides to visit her son several towns away, and keeping the heat off, even if it aggravates her pain.
“You really don’t think you will be one of those that cannot afford to heat yourself,” Ms. Hart said. “There must be thousands more people who are like me thinking: What went wrong?”
Inflation was already on the rise in Britain and elsewhere before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, triggered by rising natural gas prices and supply-chain shortages after pandemic lockdowns. The war has abruptly pushed the price of oil and gas even higher.
Now consumer prices in Britain are rising at their fastest rate in 30 years, and wages are failing to keep up, putting a squeeze on household incomes not seen since records began in 1956.
The cost-of-living jump is especially dismaying for older people and others with lower or limited incomes, such as those living on government pensions and disability payments, which remained largely the same even as inflation hit.
How Older Britons Are Cutting Costs
How Older Britons Are Cutting Costs
Britain is feeling the squeeze from rising inflation and high fuel prices.
I went to the town of Clacton-on-Sea and met many older people who live on fixed incomes and are struggling with mounting bills. Here’s what I saw →
How Older Britons Are Cutting Costs
In a bungalow not far from the sea, I met Maureen Hart, 77, a former librarian. In April, her gas and electricity bill tripled to 170 pounds from about 50 pounds. Her other bills are also creeping up.
How Older Britons Are Cutting Costs
Now she keeps the heating off, uses the oven as little as possible and visits her son once a month, instead of twice.
“What else do I cut back?” she said. “You get to a certain age and you’re brushed under the carpet.”
How Older Britons Are Cutting Costs
At a weekly lunch club, where people can get a cheap home-cooked meal, there were both dismay and resignation about the rising cost of living. “People are worried,” said Jean Williams, a volunteer serving the lunch.
How Older Britons Are Cutting Costs
Jennifer Belcher, 67, center right, is helping her friend Patricia Hutton, 89, left, save on food by buying it at reduced prices just before it expires. “We take her under our wings,” Belcher said. “We are good bargain shoppers.”
How Older Britons Are Cutting Costs
Advocates say that for vulnerable people, inadequate heating can worsen health conditions. Many fear the rising cost will lead to some being disconnected from electricity or gas.
How Older Britons Are Cutting Costs
Help lines are advising people to seek government financial relief where possible. “They’re nowhere near enough for the level of need,” said Martin Lord, director of Citizens Advice Essex.
“People can guess what will happen in the winter. It’s going to be horrible.”
Read more about the crisis that many Britons face because of inflation and soaring energy costs:
- British home energy prices are set to rise 54%.
- British home energy prices are set to rise 54%.
- Britain announces measures to help people cope with inflation, including cutting gas prices.
- Britain announces measures to help people cope with inflation, including cutting gas prices.
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