Fuel bills too high for elderly

The dark nights are back with us and the weather is colder. So what does one do? Switch on the light and turn up the central heating.

The fuel suppliers are rubbing their hands, not to keep warm, but with glee, as dark nights and cold weather mean more profit.

Already gas prices have risen by over a third in the last year, 33.6 per cent. Electricity prices have increased over the same period by 13.7 per cent.

It has been reported that British Gas burns off excess gas, and fuel suppliers are buying gas from overseas a lot cheaper than they did earlier in the year. Yet these same companies are still increasing their prices.

While all this is going on the state pension has risen by two per cent. Oh yes, the Government has promised to restore the link of payments to earnings in 2012, that was cruelly abolished by Margaret Thatcher back in 1980. The Government claims that to restore the link immediately would be unaffordable. Yet some pensioners will die this winter as they cannot afford the ever increasing fuel prices.

An article in the Shropshire Star, November 3, by James Shaw, headlined "High energy costs worry facing elderly", reveals concern for the elderly in the massive gas and electric bills increase. David Sheridan, representing Age Concern, in the same article says: "Because pensioners are obviously on fixed incomes, they tend to find it hard going as their pensions don't rise with the bills".

What is the Government going to do about this situation? These pensioners don't want charity - they just want what they are entitled to - that is the link restored now.

Councillor John Trafford, Oakengates