Concerns Over Energy Bill Increase in Lancashire
Jules Pritchard expressed that many pensioners are "surviving rather than living" amid fears about the upcoming energy bill increase.
Residents at a community centre in one of Lancashire's most deprived areas have voiced concerns about affording a 13.5% rise in energy bills set for next month.
From 1 July, average household energy bills will increase by £221, representing a 13.5% rise compared to the previous quarter and 79% higher than before the energy crisis began in winter 2020/21, according to the latest cap announced by energy regulator Ofgem.
"It will affect a lot of people in Bacup, particularly the elderly," said Jules Pritchard, a class leader at the ABD Centre in the Rossendale Valley.
A government representative stated that addressing the affordability crisis remains its "number one priority."
Local Impact and Community Response
Bacup is identified as having the highest levels of deprivation in the Rossendale Valley, based on the English indices of deprivation 2025.
"They're trying to survive and I think a lot of them are surviving rather than living, which is a very sad place to be,"said Pritchard, who teaches an arts and crafts class attended by around 20 people.
"You've worked all your life, you shouldn't just be surviving, you should be living comfortably and the way the world is at the moment, that's not happening."
Alison Grant, 61, from Weir and a user of the community centre, described her feelings about the situation.
"I don't know where the money will come from,"she said.
"I have a meter and a smart meter, but you might as well call it an anxiety meter.
You're watching it constantly to see how much is on the meter until your next payday."
The increase affects those on variable deals as higher wholesale costs faced by suppliers are passed on to consumers.
The ongoing conflict in Iran has disrupted the Bank of England's UK inflation targets of 2% over the next five years.
Ofgem reported that due to the war, a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity will pay £221 more annually, with the total annual bill reaching £1,862.
"It's a juggling act,"Alison said.
"My food's gone up, the petrol for my car to get me to work. It's relentless."
Wider Cost of Living Pressures
According to the Office for National Statistics, 66% of adults reported an increase in their cost of living compared to the previous month, citing food shopping, fuel, and gas or electricity bills as the main reasons.
"Whoever you are your shopping bill has gone up,"said June Divine, who runs a weekly luncheon where people can eat at cost price.
"Everything has just rocketed."
Lottery funds and church donations assist in keeping food prices low at the centre.
Government Measures
In a statement, a government representative said:
"We have taken £150 of costs off energy bills for the years ahead and extended the Warm Home Discount to around six million households.
We are also freezing fuel duty, rail fares, and prescriptions, increasing the minimum wage, and cutting VAT on family activities and children's meals this summer."
Get in Touch
Tell us which stories we should cover in Lancashire.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via WhatsApp to 0808 100 2230.
How you can save money on your energy bill.
