Heating costs leave Brits in one room

Over 2.5 million older people live in just one room of their property during the winter in order to conserve heat and save on heating costs.

One million older people also cut back on food shopping to afford their warmth.

Two million over-60s wear outdoor garments indoors – such as gloves, hats and overcoats.

Help the Aged has launched a campaign, 'You've got to claim it to gain it', to help older people to receive benefits and to budget during the winter months, in the light of oil rises and other predicted utility price hikes.

Anna Pearson, a spokesperson for the British Gas Help the Aged partnership, says: "Each year over 25,000 older people lose their lives to a preventable cold-related illness.

"The government has a potential jackpot of £4.5 billion waiting for older people, but it dangles this vital cash behind a complex maze of means-tested benefits."

This follows rising oil prices that have begun to impact on higher domestic energy bills.

As well as the increased cost of heating their homes, Brits have also seen home insurance premiums, mortgage payments and food bills rise in recent months.

25/11/2007 12:41:44