Pensioners may be 'put off' heating their homes because of soaring energy prices, campaigners say as they call for Winter Fuel payments to be offered to more homes.
Age UK said there is a risk that older people may 'decide not even to try to keep their homes adequately warm', putting their health at risk due to fears about rising costs.
Separately, ministers have been urged to extend the Winter Fuel payments to 5.5million households at risk of poverty this year.
The payment ranges from £100 to £300 and is a one-off payment made each year to the homes of someone of pension credit age, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Pensioners may not heat their homes properly this winter over fears they cannot afford the soaring energy prices, campaigners have warned as energy prices spiral due to supply issues
But campaigners say the soaring energy prices should mean that the payment is extended to an additional 2.4million low-income households who may be forced to choose between eating hot food and heating their homes this winter.
Every year, the UK sees thousands of what the government calls 'excess deaths' due to cold weather, which can often make existing health conditions worse.
The prices of oil and gas have been sent spiralling due to global demand and supply chain issues and has sparked fears older people will not be able to afford to heat their homes sufficiently.
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK said: 'Older people typically need to have the heating on longer and at a higher temperature than younger age groups because they feel the cold more and are at greater risk of cold-related illnesses.
'This means that at Age UK we are really concerned that the prospect of sky high energy bills will put some older people off even trying to keep their homes adequately warm this winter.
'Energy bills are a big outlay and always a worry for many older people, but this year their level of anxiety is likely to be going through the roof, and for understandable reasons.
The prices of oil and gas have been sent spiralling due to global demand and supply chain issues and has sparked fears older people will not be able to afford to heat homes sufficiently
'More than a million older households are already living in fuel poverty and surging energy prices seem certain
