Humanitarian · Fuel poverty & cold homes · 31 October 2026
Age UK says Budget does not go far enough on energy bills
Age UK has said the Chancellor's Autumn Budget announcements are insufficient to protect older people from rising energy bills. The charity criticises the use of Council Tax bandings for targeting support, calling it inefficient and potentially unfair.
Age UK has commented on the Chancellor's Autumn Budget, stating that the measures do not go far enough to shield older people from increasing energy costs. Paul Farmer, CEO at Age UK, said: "While today's announcements are welcome, they do not go far enough to protect older people from the sharp rise in energy bills that is still to come, especially those who are struggling on lower incomes - some pensioners are undoubtedly going to need more financial support this winter."
The charity highlights that older people living in higher banded properties but with low incomes may miss out on support under the current plans. Additionally, low-income households with higher energy needs due to health conditions or disability may face further bill increases as a result of changes in standing charges. Age UK believes these targeting mechanisms are inefficient and potentially unfair.
The organisation noted that the Government has protected low-income pensioners from tax demands when the State Pension exceeds the personal allowance. Paul Farmer added: "We are pleased that the Government has taken on board the difficulties many low income pensioners will face when the State Pension goes over the income tax personal allowance - protecting low income pensioners from facing a demand for a cash payment from the taxman is paramount and this looks to have been taken care of."
The announcement references 4,000 flu mortalities last winter, though no further details are provided regarding this figure in the context of the energy bill discussion. The date of publication for these comments is 28 October 2026.
Written by StreetOwl from Age UK, a charity’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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