People who are terminally ill need more help with their energy bills

Consumer Scotland also wants extra support for disabled people and those with health conditions.

Action is needed to improve energy support for the terminally ill, disabled people and those with severe health conditions, Scotland’s statutory consumer body has said.

Consumer Scotland research has shown these individuals often have higher energy expenditure because of the cost of running essential medical or mobility equipment such as oxygen concentrators, home dialysis machines and electric wheelchairs or hoists.

Some disabled people or those with severe health conditions are dependent upon life-saving medical equipment.

These groups also may need to keep their homes warmer to manage medical conditions such as pain, respiratory illnesses and fatigue.

According to research by Marie Curie a person’s energy bill can increase as much as 75% after a terminal diagnosis, compared to before they were diagnosed.

However, income-related support does not tend to account for the impact of higher expenditure to meet disabled consumers’ greater essential energy needs.

Building on previous research and following a series of workshops with disabled people and those with health conditions and organisations who represent them Consumer Scotland has made a number of recommendations:

These include the Scottish Government considering targeting energy affordability support at those who are terminally ill - who are already identified through the benefits system.

Energy affordability support could be targeted at those who are terminally ill under Special Rules for Terminal Illness for disability benefits which allows for quicker access to benefits.

Consumer Scotland also wants the UK and Scottish governments to work together to create an energy affordability scheme which includes disabled people and those with health conditions.

This could be delivered either through expanded targeting of existing fuel poverty and energy affordability schemes such as Winter Fuel Payment or Warm Home Discount or by including disabled people in the design of future targeted energy affordability support.

Consumer Scotland Chief Executive Sam Ghibaldan said:

“Disabled people and those with severe health conditions are a group who often have to spend higher amounts of money on their energy needs with the potential for significant detriment if they have to ration their energy use, particularly during the colder months of the year.

“The introduction of an energy affordability scheme targeted at disabled people and those with health conditions would lead to significant benefits.

“Targeted energy support would lead to better health and wellbeing for disabled people, which in turn reduces the burden on the NHS.

“Improved affordability would also lead to the prevention of debt and arrears, self disconnection from energy supplied by prepayment meters and improvement in debt-related mental health issues.

“The Scottish Government also has a role to play and we are asking them to consider energy affordability support targeted at those who are terminally ill.”

Consumer Scotland is now writing to both UK and Scottish governments to highlight the recommendations.