Proposal for social tariffs for energy and water bills as prices hike in October

The Government has been called upon to introduce social tariffs for water and energy bills as rates are set to rise in October. The new price cap announced on Friday will see energy bills increase by 10 percent from October, with average bills rising by £149 a year.

Joanna Elson, chief executive at Independent Age, said: "To prevent people in later life being forced to make dangerous cutbacks on usage, we are calling on the UK Government to implement single social tariffs for energy and water bills. Current social tariffs provided by individual water companies do offer social tariffs which provide vital support to people living in poverty.

"But the postcode lottery means that people living in financial hardship across England and Wales pay vastly different amounts, and many simply can't afford the high costs." All water suppliers offer social tariffs for those in need, offering up to 85 percent off bills.

Some suppliers offer caps on the total you pay while others reduce your bills by a set amount for the year. You can view the list of social tariffs on the Consumer Council for Water website. Ms Elson also urged for more assistance for older Britons.

She stated: "We urge the UK Government to take swift action to ensure that older people on a low income receive all of the financial support they are entitled to. Support like Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction can make a huge difference to people's lives, yet we know that too many are still missing out.

"This is even more crucial now that millions who are eligible but not yet receiving Pension Credit will now lose their Winter Fuel Payment." She also said there needs to be a cross-party review into what constitutes an adequate income in later life