An online petition calling on the UK Government to require all energy firms to offer a fixed monthly rate for older people and those with a disability has received more than 11,100 signatures of support and is now due an official response to the proposal. However, Parliament is in recess until Monday, April 17, so any response is unlikely to be published before next week.
The petition follows recent calls by nearly 100 charities and organisations who are collectively calling on the UK Government to introduce a social energy tariff to help low-income and vulnerable, older and disabled households heat their homes this winter. The findings also indicate that 24 per cent of over-60s are living in homes which are colder than they would like them to be, rising to 27 per cent for older people with a disability.
“I believe the best course of action that the UK Government can take is to give these groups the right to an 'unmetered tariff' for both gas and electric, charged at a set rate per month. Doing so could help give that group the added security they most desperately need at this time.”