In an open letter to chancellor Jeremy Hunt, the group including Age UK, Fair By Design, National Energy Action (NEA) and Scope warns that many older and disabled people, their carers and low-income households are facing an uncertain future as they grapple with unaffordable energy bills.
A survey for Age UK suggests 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.
The letter calls for targeted support for those on means-tested benefits, disability benefits and carer’s allowance, as well as those missing out on welfare support but still struggling with their bills.
It describes “deep concern” that the withdrawal of universal energy support from April “will leave many older and disabled people in an increasingly desperate situation”.
Charities said they were being inundated with calls from people in “dire need”, including those relying on medical...