Harrogate care home boss warns of closures over energy costs

The Head of a Harrogate care charity has warned the energy crisis could force some care homes to close.

Sue Cawthray, chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, said spiralling bills were already being felt by care providers, with the charity’s own gas costs more than doubling over the last 12 months to over £90,000.

Mrs Cawthray said: “Those working in social care are responsible for people’s lives and we have got to make sure that not only are our residents warm, but also that food costs are addressed.

I have a colleague who is a small care provider and very concerned about how he is actually going to pay the wages, nevermind keep people warm.”

The new prime minister Liz Truss has pledged to “act immediately” on the energy crisis – with a price freeze funded by government-backed loans to energy companies widely expected.

But with the full details of the plans yet to be announced, Mrs Cawthray said the charity was already looking at different ways to reduce its energy costs, including the use of heating monitors in residential rooms and solar panels.

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