Skipton Building Society research out today reveals 42% of over 65s are worried about this coming winter, with the cost of heating and energy bills topping their list of concerns (86 per cent), followed by the overall cost of living (76 per cent) and homes not being warm enough (58 per cent).
To shine a spotlight on the millions of people living in fuel poverty across the UK, Skipton, alongside Age UK and National Energy Action (NEA) have unveiled an ice sculpture of a row of classic two-up, two-down terraced homes.
The striking installation symbolises households left “frozen” by the harsh reality of rising energy costs, many of whom will feel the chill this winter. Measuring three metres wide and one and a half metres tall, the sculpture was displayed in London’s Borough Yards to capture the attention of passers-by as part of a campaign by Skipton Building Society, Age UK and National Energy Action to highlight the alarming crisis facing a growing number of households.
The unveiling of the sculpture takes place as Ofgem announces an increase in the next price cap level, taking affect from 1 January, which means energy bills are still £500 more a year for a typical household than pre-crisis levels.
The research commissioned by Skipton Building Society of 1,500 adults aged over 65 shows more than half (56 per cent) expect the cost of energy to put significant pressure on their finances, with 41% stating this pressure is more than last year
This is supported by exclusive comment and insight from University of Bristol’s National Child Mortality Database programme director, Sylvia Stoianova, who spoke about the effects cold homes can have on both older people and children.
She said: “We’re seeing growing inequalities in people’s ability to heat their homes – leaving both older people and the very young exposed to unsafe living conditions. Cold homes are linked to a range of serious health issues in babies and children, including low birthweight, preterm birth, delayed development and increased hospital admissions.
“Our report found deprivation is closely tied to higher child mortality – with more than one in five deaths potentially avoidable if deprivation-related factors were addressed.
“Lack of heating can also lead to damp and mould, which trigger respiratory problems and worsen asthma outcomes.
“And fuel poverty forces many families into impossible choices between warmth and other essential needs – causing avoidable suffering and, at times, loss of life. Ensuring warm, dry homes isn’t just about comfort, it’s a life-saving necessity, and urgent action is needed to address these inequalities.”
The research also found older generations are likely to spend more time indoors during winter, with 52 per cent anticipating they’ll go consecutive days without leaving home. Over half of these state it is just too cold to go outdoors.
Seven in 10 will pile on extra layers to keep warm, and 45 per cent plan to use blankets, hot water bottles or electric throws as cheaper alternatives to turning the heating on. Nearly a third (30 per cent) will go to bed earlier to stay warm, while 23 per cent will confine themselves to a single heated room.
According to the survey, carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Skipton, 74 per cent fear energy bills will continue to rise in the coming years, with the same proportion hoping to see more support introduced to help older people keep their homes warm. Despite this, 63 per cent said they are unaware of any formal support available to help them manage during the colder months.
Michaela Wright, Group Head of Sustainability at Skipton Building Society, concluded:
“No one should have to choose between staying warm and affording life’s essentials, yet our research shows this is the reality for far too many people. With many worried about heating costs and people expecting real financial strain this winter, the situation is heartbreaking.
“That’s why we’re working with our charity partners Age UK and National Energy Action to not only raise awareness but provide practical support. By donating part of our 1% group profit before tax and an additional £50,000 between the two charities, we hope to bring warmth and reassurance to those who need it most. Together, we can make sure people know where to turn for help, because staying warm isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline.
“Age UK & National Energy Action were selected to be our charity partners by our members and colleagues. Thanks to the choices our members make, we’re proud to back these charities in providing vital support. It’s a clear example of how being a member of Skipton means being part of something bigger and making a real difference.”
National Energy Action’s chief executive Adam Scorer said:
“Our mission is to ensure everyone can afford to live in a warm, healthy home. Today’s [Fri 21 Nov] price cap announcement means bills are still £500 higher than pre-crisis levels for a typical household. Energy costs and cold weather place growing pressure on households, the campaign will shine a light on those who struggle in the cold and dark - unable to afford to heat and power their homes. The support from Skipton, their members and customers will help us to provide practical advice and support so more people can keep warm this winter and beyond.”
National Energy Action is the UK’s leading fuel poverty charity, offering energy and benefits advice through helplines and community events, and supporting households with energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and retrofitting homes to make them warmer and safer.
Skipton’s funding has enabled National Energy Action to pilot three Community Retrofit Hubs, located in Burnley, Oldham and Sheffield. The mission of the Hubs is to help local people reduce their heating bills, create healthier homes, and be ready for the transition to net zero. Each hub is staffed by two full-time employees.
Paul Farmer, CEO at Age UK, said:
“At Age UK we're incredibly proud of the vital work we do to support older people who may be experiencing financial difficulty and as a result may be unable to keep their homes warm. Sadly, fuel poverty remains a huge problem for older households as around 1.1 million homes with a person aged 60 or over live in fuel poverty. Rising energy prices and inflationary hikes to basic daily essentials are already eating into low-income pensioner budgets, many of whom have few or little savings to fall back on.”
“We are so excited to be involved in this campaign and would like to thank Skipton for shining a light on this crisis hiding in plain sight and giving us the opportunity to raise awareness of the support available for older people, and why it's so needed.”
Skipton Building Society has partnered with Age UK to support older people through its ‘A Place to Call Home’ programme. This initiative helps to fund Age UK’s award-winning Advice Line, holistic advice sessions and research to better understand the cost-of-living crisis’s impact on older adults. Since launching in October 2024, the project has supported 2,048 older people, identifying £6.9 million in unclaimed annual benefits. Among 1,249 older service users identified as eligible for benefits, the average entitlement was £5,678per person per year.
Michaela Wright adds, “Together, we can make a difference this winter. For anyone who wants to support our winter campaign with funds going directly to Age Uk & National Energy Action, you can donate via the link https://gvwhl.com/ZQN4H or visit any Skipton Building Society Branch”
