Soaring numbers of pensioners fear they won’t be able to heat their homes with bills set to nearly double this year.
The amount of over-65s worried over costs leapt from 43% to 62% in six weeks, Age UK figures show.
Tens of thousands are already struggling to pay for energy and food amid the cost of living crisis.
Caroline Abrahams, director of the Age UK, said it was an “absolute scandal” those worst hit had not yet had any Government help.
And with energy price cap set to soar from £1,277 to £2,000 in April, then to around £2,400 in October, there is “deep concern” many will go cold or hungry.
How are you coping with the energy crisis? Let us know: graham.hiscott@mirror.co.uk
Ms Abrahams, said: “The number worried about being able to heat their homes is staggering and should be a source of shame for this Government.
“Every day we are hearing heartbreaking stories from desperate people forced to choose between heating and eating. This isn’t a looming crisis, it’s upon us, and while the Government is dithering, millions of older people are suffering because they can’t afford to keep warm.”
One caller to Age UK’s helpline, Celia, in her sixties, told the charity: “I’m rationing heating.
“The future, especially over the colder months, looks very bleak.”
And Sandra, 74, who rents her home and lives on the state pension said: “If bills increase as much as predicted, I will not be able to heat my house, eat, feed my little dog, my only companion.”
Age UK wants VAT on bills axed until December at least and a payment of up to £500 for those on the lowest incomes.
