Age UK published its findings as it launched a campaign to improve the energy efficiency of houses occupied by elderly people in the UK.
“With proper insulation and energy efficiency measures nearly all homes in the UK could be made much warmer, and the government could pay for this using the billions of pounds they already raise in carbon taxes,” said the charity in a statement.
The organisation claimed that green levies could pay for energy efficiency measures in at least nine million homes over the next 15 years
Age UK said its research showed that more than six million over 65s are concerned about their energy bills and half are worried about being unable to stay warm in their homes this winter. It estimated that 1.7 million old people in the UK cannot afford to heat their homes. It published its findings the day before the big six energy suppliers were scheduled to appear before the energy select committee to defend their recent hikes in bills