WINTER FUEL PAY VICTIMS SUFFER £500 BILL RISE

PENSIONERS stripped of winter fuel cash face being £500 worse off after today's energy bill rise, campaigners warn.

-  Katie Harris

The price cap went up by 1.2% in the latest jump for gas and electricity costs, after October's 10% hike.

Some OAPs who have lost the cold weather allowance will have to find an extra £522 for energy this winter compared with a year ago, according to the End Fuel Poverty Coalition. In a further blow, experts predict another 3% cap increase in April.

Simon Francis, coalition co-ordinator, said that Chancellor Rachel Reeves's "greatest mistake since taking office has been her total failure to understand the impact of the cruel winter fuel payment cut to some of the most vulnerable older people".

He added: "With the price cap rise coming into force today and the latest predictions that bills will rise even more from April, older people are counting the cost of this decision and having to find more than £500 a year extra.

"Of course, people of all ages I have seen first hand the impact of the energy bills crisis driven by the UK's reliance on volatile energy markets. Millions of people from the youngest children to our oldest pensioners are living in cold, damp homes, unable to heat their homes to a safe temperature or racking up massive debts with some even turning to loan sharks.