A heartbroken Nottingham pensioner has spoken out about the true impact the cost of the living crisis is having on the elderly as she was "left with nothing" after paying her bills. "It is just surviving", said Joyce Cooke who was charged £214.09 for electricity last month.
The 78-year-old said she spends most of the day at her friend's place "for company". Once she arrives home at her one-bedroom flat in Clifton, Ms Cooke said she might have her TV on, and the light for about half an hour before going to bed.
She said: "There is no reason for it. I live in an one-bedroom flat, and I also have an electric chair. I am on my own. I cannot afford all of that. I have all the bills to pay and I only get just over £200 a week.
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"It is just surviving. They left me with nothing in the bank. Since being on my own, I have to pay for everything. I am lucky that I have my friend who looks after me." She claims she usually had to pay £49, and the increase "came out of the blue". Ms Cooke described the jump as "disgusting".
"I was shocked", she added. "This puts pressure on me. I am careful with my money - but everything is going on bills. I am scared I will not have enough money."
It is understood that Ms Cooke's bills were based on estimated meter readings. However, the pensioner was not made aware that her direct debit had increased.
A British Gas Spokesperson said: “We appreciate Mrs Cooke’s difficult situation and we’ve reached out to her to say sorry and to discuss any help and support available. We’ve also arranged to manually read both meters to ensure her bills are accurate going forward.”
Lisa Turner, Strategic Director at Age UK Notts, said the organisation has seen an "increased demand" from people seeking advice on how to spend less on energy. Age UK Notts continue to deliver some targeted projects around energy for residents including Warm Homes on Prescription in Broxtowe and Warm and Wise in the City and County for people aged over 50.
Ms Turner added: “Our Safe & Sound team have seen an increased demand for personalised advice on how to save energy and pay less, over the winter months.
"We see no sign of this demand lessening, as householders are aware that challenging times will continue into next winter. Our Energy Advisors can fit small energy saving measures alongside providing practical hints and tips to suit individual circumstances."
From October last year until the end of March 2023, a total of 1.17 million pounds in energy support has been distributed by the City Council and its community partner organisations to vulnerable households in the city. Donna Cumberlidge, Chief Officer for Citizens Advice Nottingham & District, added: “We continue to see people needing support with daily living costs including energy and over the last year we’ve seen a 314 percent increase in people needing charitable support.
"We’ve also seen an increase of 109 percent with people needing support with Pension Credit. There are a range of organisations across the city who provide free and confidential advice to residents including Citizens Advice Nottingham & District, Age UK and Advice Nottingham partners and we encourage people to get in touch with any of us if they would like advice. Over the last six months we have all also been supporting the distribution of energy vouchers by the City Council to help those struggling with their energy costs”.
In a statement addressing the issue, a City Council spokesperson said "elderly residents just about making ends meet are facing real difficulties". They continued: “We know that many Nottingham households were already struggling before the cost-of-living crisis hit. Elderly residents just about making ends meet are facing real difficulties – but it’s important they are aware they are not alone, there is support available for them.
“There’s a great deal of help and advice on our website, covering issues from budget and debt management, to accessing benefits you’re entitled to and mental health support. It also signposts people to the organisations who can provide face-to-face advice and guidance. It provides information about places which offer cheap food, including community supermarkets, social eating projects and food banks, as well as about concessionary travel passes.
“We recognise that not everyone has access to the internet – so all Nottingham City Libraries provide free access to computers with an internet connection, and free access to wi-fi from personal devices.”
More information about how to keep costs down, support with bills to which people might be entitled, plus which bills to prioritise and why can be accessed here.
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Read the latest on the cost of living from Nottinghamshire Live here
