'Disabled People Against Cuts' in Sheffield: More people 'will die needlessly' this winter

We've been speaking to the campaign group following the recent energy price cap hike

Author: Chris Davis-SmithPublished 30th Aug 2022

It's feared some of the most vulnerable people across South Yorkshire could end up 'trapped in their own homes like prisoners' over autumn & winter.

Last week, the energy regulator Ofgem raised the price cap by 80 percent from October - meaning some households face being charged 3-and-a-half thousand pounds a year.

Jennifer Jones from 'Disabled People Against Cuts' in Sheffield thinks the consequences could be tragic:

"I'm feeling a mixture of worry and fury. This is going to affect the most vulnerable people in the country, and ultimately, it does mean that people are going to die avoidable deaths.

"What good is it having a hoist, so that you can get in and out of bed, and do other things like get on and off the toilet, if you can't afford to power it?

"This means more pressure is going to be put on social care and the NHS.

"People with mobility issues for instance won't be able to leave their homes. They'll end up being trapped in their homes like prisoners. It's scary to think about."

Some charities estimate that 8-million more people will be plunged into fuel poverty following the increase in the energy price cap.

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