CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough recognises that our rural communities are facing a disproportionate impact from the wider economic crisis. We have expanded the Cost of Living support page on our website to include additional resources which may be of interest to those affected by the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment.
Almost a fifth of England’s population live in rural or coastal communities. Although countryside residents report higher feeling of wellbeing than their urban equivalents, in many ways they are disadvantaged. Rural authorities receive less per head than urban authorities, but residents pay more per head in council tax, despite it costing more to deliver the same services in rural areas. In general, rural populations are older, in poorer health, and receive a lower level of support from health and social care services. There are fewer dentists and GPs within reasonable travel distance, worse public transport, lower levels of broadband and network access, and more energy-inefficient detached, pre-1919 and off-the-gas-grid homes.
In July, the Government announced that future Winter Fuel Payments would only be made to those in England and Wales on low incomes who receive pension credit or other means-tested benefits [the Scottish government is doing the same]. This means that more than 10 million pensioners will no longer receive the payment designed to help with the cost of adequate heating.
At the same time, effective from 1 October, the energy price cap for a typical household that uses gas and electricity and pays by Direct Debit will go up from £1,568 to £1,717 per year. This increase of around 10% will add about £12 a month to an average bill. The only good news, for some, is that the cost of domestic heating oil has fallen from around 81p per litre in October 2023 to around 60p per litre on 1 October 2024 (Source: https://www.boilerjuice.com/heating-oil-prices/), but prices are notoriously volatile.
What has not been taken into consideration at all is that not only do rural consumers have to afford the high cost of oil, bottled gas, coal or smokeless fuel, but that they have to pay in a single advance payment. The pension increases coming into effect in April 2025 will be delivered in small payments in arrears, so they will not help in the slightest this winter.
In 2022 a new Cost of Living support page on our website (https://www.cprecambs.org.uk/cost-of-living-support.html) signposted resources to help with the cost of living, including: help and advice from local authorities in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; financial and energy-saving advice and support; food; and local warm spaces/hubs. We have updated this content for those affected by the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment:
- AGEUK (https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/winter-fuel-payment/) for advice on how to check your eligibility for Winter Fuel Payment and other benefits, and how to apply, plus staying well and warm in winter
- The Warm Home Discount (https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/warm-home-discount/), a one-off payment of £150 to help with the cost of energy during the winter (but dependent on eligibility)
CPRE has joined the ‘Warm This Winter’ coalition calling for urgent action from the government, otherwise millions – particularly in rural areas – will be unable to pay their bills and heat their homes. To add your voice, go to https://www.warmthiswinter.org.uk/.
For more information about CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough go to www.cprecambs.org.uk.
