New research suggests that more than three million low-income households cannot afford to heat their homes this winter, posing a risk to their health as a severe chill sweeps across the country. The prolonged cold snap is set to continue into next week and Scottish household will no longer have the £25 Cold Weather Payment to help heat their homes as it has been replaced by a new devolved one-off payment for £50 which will be paid in February 2023.
But some 710,000 households are unable to follow the advice as they cannot pay for warm clothing, heating and food, according to analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. A fifth of all low-income households, some 2.5 million, are going without food and heating.
The survey of 4,251 people in the bottom 40% of incomes, conducted between October 31 and November 25, also found that around 4.3 million curbed their spending on heating ahead of the cold spell.
More than seven million households have gone without at least one of the essentials since June, the Foundation will say in a full report next week.
The social change organisation also found that many families are already in arrears on their bills, owing more than £1,600 on average. Around 2.4 million households have borrowed money or used credit to afford their bills so far this year.
Freezing weather means they face the impossible decision over whether to take on more debt to heat their home to the level recommended by health professionals.
Rachelle Earwaker, senior economist at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “The Government must see that families won’t be able to get through the winter on the current levels of support.
“For hundreds of thousands of households it’s not a choice between putting the heating on or not. Our research shows they can’t afford anything recommended to protect themselves from the effects of plummeting temperatures.
“We’re still experiencing historically high inflation and the prices of essentials are still soaring. Energy bills, while capped, are still almost double what they were last winter. Housing shortages, rising rents and mortgage payments are overburdening budgets across the country.”
“The dangerously cold weather on the horizon is cause for concern. People are being forced to wager their financial health and whether they can afford more debt, against their wellbeing without sufficient heat, clothing or hot food.”
The Foundation is urging the Government to change Universal Credit and increase the basic rate of support.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “Our priority will always be to support the most vulnerable and we recognise that people are struggling with rising prices which is why we are protecting millions of those most in need with at least £1,200 of direct payments and providing households with £400 towards energy costs.
“Our immediate support also includes our Energy Price Guarantee, saving around £900 for a typical household over winter and our Household Support Fund is helping people with essential costs. Meanwhile the Chancellor recently announced a further extensive cost of living package, ensuring those most in need are supported next year as well as this.”
10 ways to stay warm without turning on the heating
Vulnerable people should make sure they are safe and warm this winter.
If you are struggling with household finances contact your local council who may be able to provide crucial financial help - all 32 Scottish councils received extra funding through the UK Government’s Household Support Scheme.
Layer up
An extra jumper, a pair of thick socks, a pair of long johns or a base layer beneath your clothes can help keep you warm during the colder days.
Wearing layers is often better than putting on one big thick item, according to the British Heart Foundation, which also recommends sticking to wool, cotton or fleece fabrics. If you are very cold a hat and scarf can also help.
Check out your windows and doors
Once you've burned that expensive gas to warm your home you want to make sure that heat stays inside and doesn’t seep out.
Plugging up any gaps in your windows or doors can help, as can finding any other places where drafts could be coming in and heat could be escaping. Drawing your curtains will also help keep it warmer in your home, although keep them open if the sun is shining in.
Keep moving
By keeping active you can burn more energy in your body, which creates heat and helps to keep you warm.
Even though it feels warm under your covers, a short jog around the kitchen or living room - if you are able to - could heat you up more than sitting still. Even light exercise can help you keep warm.
Heat the person, not the room
As long as you are warm it is less important that the air around you is warm. It will be a lot more effective to use hot water bottles and electric blankets to keep warm at night than heating your entire home while everyone is asleep.
Be smart with your central heating
Turning down your thermostat too low can be dangerous, especially if you have vulnerable people at home, so be careful about letting your home get too cold.
However, reducing the temperature on your thermostat by just one degree could save you hundreds of pounds this winter.
Tweak your boiler settings
If you have a condensing combi boiler you can lower the flow temperature which means it may take water a wee bit longer to heat up, but will save you between £100-£200 each year - find out more here.
Don't heat empty spaces
There is no point spending money heating rooms that you rarely use. So close doors around your home and turn down the radiators in the rooms where you spend less time. That way you can focus on keeping your bedroom, or other more well-used rooms warmer instead.
Use blankets
If you’re watching telly in the living room instead of putting the heating on and warming the whole house and all those empty rooms, wrap yourself in a blanket - better yet, grab your duvet and soak up the warmth.
Drink lots of hot drinks
If you’ve got a flask fill it with hot water after the kettle has boiled to save you spending money on every cuppa you make.
Plenty of hot fluids will keep your blood pumping and your hands warm while holding the mug.
Hot water bottles
If you’ve got one lying in a drawer or cupboard it may be time to dust it off and use it as a handy source of heat, especially if you’re working from home or sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Go to bed earlier than usual
Create your own cocoon of tropical heat under the blankets and start a new book to help you unwind and forget how cold it is. The dark nights make it easier to to start going to bed a bit earlier and the bonus is you will wake up rested and refreshed ready for the day ahead.
To keep up to date with the latest cost of living news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.
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