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Price Cap Shift challenged as smoke and mirrors
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland, welcomed the announcement that there would be some lowering of gas and electricity prices under the new Ofgem price cap but stated that ‘the overall issue is much too serious for smoke and mirrors”
SPF Chairperson, Rose Jackson stated:
“Ofgem’s recent announcement fails to address the real affordability issue for pensioners when it comes to heating and lighting their homes. The paltry reduction in the price cap must be considered against the backdrop of the Government’s Energy Support Scheme being pulled – people are still worse off!
Appeal for Ministerial Role on Older People’s Issues
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland, has today written to the First Minister of Scotland to congratulate him on his appointment but also to voice their dismay and concern over the absence of a specific ministerial position to consider the rights and welfare of older people
SPF Chair, Rose Jackson:
‘Over the past several years, the Scottish Pensioners’ Forum has worked closely with the Minister for Equalities and Older People through the Older People’s Strategic Action Forum (OPSAF) and, along with many other older people’s organisations, has made some significant headway in doing so.
Appeal to supermarket giants
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland, have today called on supermarket giants across the UK to pledge support for older people facing food poverty due to escalating price rises as a direct consequence of the cost-of-living crisis.
Research has shown that almost 2.7 million pensioners across the UK are reliant on the state pension as their only means of income yet, with a meagre pension increase and the threat of the one-year suspension of the triple lock element of the state pension being made permanent, this hardship is only set to get worse.
Supermarket chain Asda recently rolled out an initiative to help older people using their cafes during November and December and the Scottish Pensioners’ Forum hope that other large chains can follow suit.
Demo on energy price cap
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland will be holding a demonstration on Friday 26th August at 11AM at the Ofgem Offices in Glasgow, when they will be hand delivering a letter, on behalf of their members and affiliates, on the urgent need for action against escalating energy costs.
Rose Jackson, SPF Chair, fumed:
“Ofgem was created to protect the rights of the consumer but yet energy costs for the average household are spiralling out of control. Heating and eating should not be luxuries but they’re quickly becoming that way for too many.
Campaigning Pensioners Call For Action from Ofgem
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland, today applauded the decision of OFGEM non-executive director, Christine Farnish, to resign from the board, on a matter of principle, as she felt they were “[giving] too much benefit to companies at the expense of consumers.”
According to energy campaigners, Ofgem is currently presiding over a shambles. Due to its failure to scrutinise the finances of approximately 30 energy supply companies’ pre-licence, these companies have since gone bust, leaving consumers to pick up the bill whilst allowing millions of pounds in profits to be syphoned off by their directors.
Energy consumers in Scotland already suffer higher energy costs than anywhere else in the UK, yet they now face quarterly increases to their bills. According to an OFGEM spokesperson this is due to the “very real risk of suppliers going bust, which would heap yet more costs onto bills”
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