More than one in four (28%) pensioners said they were struggling financially before war broke out in Iran – with energy being the main issue

In the face of soaring bills the Government’s £53m of support for heating oil users will not be enough

Following on from the Government’s announcement this week providing £53m of support for oil heated households, Age UK warns this package won't be enough for all those who are facing immediate price hikes they won't be able to afford, many of them older people.

This crisis takes place against the backdrop of Age UK representative national polling conducted in January. Research[i] for the Charity found that cost of living pressures were still persisting among older people, with more than one in four (28%) saying they were struggling to manage financially.

Findings from this survey demonstrate the continued difficulties older people face in keeping up with a still rising cost of living.  25% - equivalent to 3 million adults over age 66 - told Age UK they found their energy bills unaffordable.

Age UK is deeply concerned about the impact the war in the Middle East could have on UK energy prices later in the year. The Charity is already hearing from older people who are fearful of what will happen next winter. 

Age UK's polling found that the high cost of living is resulting in many older people cutting back on essentials, especially heating their home, potentially undermining their health, since being adequately warm is important as we age, especially if we are living with serious health conditions. 69% - equivalent to 8.3 million adults over 66 said they’d rather turn off their heating than fall into debt.  One in three (35%) - equivalent to 4.2 million stated they’d cut back on heating/powering their homes recently and 19% - equivalent to 2.4 million said they lived in homes colder than they’d like them to be[ii].

Now, geopolitical events are creating upward pressures on global oil and gas prices which are already impacting some UK consumers.  The design of the UK’s energy system means that most of the population will not see the impact of energy price increases until the July energy price cap period begins, the level of which will be announced by Ofgem towards the end of May. However, households dependent on oil heated systems are not protected by a price cap and are therefore at immediate risk.

Across the UK as a whole, oil heating systems are in around 1.5 million homes[iii], with a high concentration found in rural areas across Great Britain and in Northern Ireland, where over 60% of households use oil as their primary heating source. 

Older people are more likely to live in properties heated by oil and recent reports suggest that prices for some have doubled or even tripled.  One in 20 (5%) of households headed by people aged 50 to 64 years and 1 in 25 (4%) headed by people aged 65+ have a solid fuel or oil-fired system[iv].

Meanwhile, research for the Charity clearly shows many older people's budgets are already highly stretched, resulting in the need for them to make cut backs.  Consumer energy debt is at a record level of (£4.5bn), demonstrating that people are still living with the impact of the last crisis. The level of debt is forecast to rise to £7 billion by the end of the year[v], and that's before accounting for the impact of higher prices, an increasing cause for concern.

The scale of the problem is also being reflected in the growing demand for support. Age UK has seen an increase in housing enquiries that include energy related queries.  From December 2025 to February 2026 it’s free Advice Line experienced a 36% spike in calls.

Just last week, Age UK’s Advice Line received a call from an 80 year-old living with serious health concerns who’s been told he must keep warm. He lives rurally, near no shops, and relies on oil to heat his home.  He has explored alternative govt schemes to no avail.  In January 2026 a full tank of oil costed him £400. He had to fill up again in March and the new cost was £800.

Age UK’s immediate concern is ensuring that older off-grid households get the help they need to manage the really massive price increases they now face.  The Charity welcomes the Government's acknowledgement that people in this position need emergency help, but the £53m pledged simply won't stretch far enough to help all those in need, in the Charity's view. In addition, it is important to note there are other groups of older people who are not covered by this plan , or by the price cap and who are also badly exposed to soaring prices. They include some heat network customers, park home residents and care home residents.

Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK said: "Even before the crisis in the Middle East, one in four pensioners were finding life tough financially. Now we know that many will be worrying about the impact of the war on their fuel bills and dreading being unable to afford their heating when they really need it later in the year. The fact that the energy price cap will not be reviewed again until July provides some precious temporary reassurance, but it doesn't help those older people who use heating oil, who are immediately exposed to quite enormous price hikes. It's brilliant that the Government has recognised the plight of anyone in this situation but unfortunately the £53 million they have allocated in support simply won't stretch far enough.

"It must be terrifying if you are an older person who needs to order more oil this week, while the weather remains chilly, to be told that the price has doubled or even tripled overnight. Any older person who uses heating oil and lives on a low fixed income now faces a perilous situation that threatens their health as well as their wellbeing. We believe the Government should do more to help them.

“For any older person who’s living on a low income and worried about affording to heat or power your home, we urge you to contact Age UK to see what help is available to you. There are some sources of support and we can help you to access them.”

Age UK urges anyone who’s struggling and worried about extra costs of living to contact Age UK’s free Advice Line on 0800 169 65 65 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/benefits for support. Age UK’s Advice Line is open 365 days a year (8am – 7pm). Local Age UKs also offer tailored services and support. To find your nearest visit: Age UK services in your area