[4444]

He's just said that on his show. Would he be willing to pay the electricity bill when it comes in then? (I'm not actually a pensioner, btw, just a concerned citizen. )

[mossy2103]

Maybe he is advising them to keep the heating on rather than risk dying of hypothermia

[4444]

Originally Posted by mossy2103

Maybe he is advising them to keep the heating on rather than risk dying of hypothermia

That was just what he was getting at but he seemed to be overlooking the fact that heating isn't free. He doesn't need to worry when the electricity bill comes through the door, of course, but there are many people who have to.

[xDanny]

Why does everything have to be jumped on around here?

[xmel05]

Originally Posted by xDanny

Why does everything have to be jumped on around here?

tell me about it

[kopy-lover]

Surely it's better to have to worry about a larger electric bill, than not have to worry about the electric bill at all because you died of hyperthermia?

[TommyGavin76]

Originally Posted by 4444

That was just what he was getting at but he seemed to be overlooking the fact that heating isn't free. He doesn't need to worry when the electricity bill comes through the door, of course, but there are many people who have to.

Did you expect a disclaimer when he said it? It's better to be alive with a high heating bill than dead with a low one.

[Missbegotten]

Pensioners get up to £400 heating alllowance per year on top of their normal income. They have no justifiable reason for sitting in a cold house.

[Aenaryn]

Originally Posted by kopy-lover

Surely it's better to have to worry about a larger electric bill, than not have to worry about the electric bill at all because you died of hyperthermia?

Though having all your electric fires on may well result in this 'hyperthermia' you mention.

[mossy2103]

Originally Posted by TommyGavin76

Did you expect a disclaimer when he said it? It's better to be alive with a high heating bill than dead with a low one.

Precisely.

[summerain]

It did sound rather patronising. They don't keep the heating off because they forget to put it on, it's because they can't afford to switch it on.
I'm not sure how the heating allowance thing works though, I think they only get it when the temperature goes below a certain point.

[methodyguy]

Originally Posted by summerain

It did sound rather patronising. They don't keep the heating off because they forget to put it on, it's because they can't afford to switch it on.
I'm not sure how the heating allowance thing works though, I think they only get it when the temperature goes below a certain point.

That is the cold weather payment which is a completly different thing. The Heating allowance of £250 is paid to pensioners aged 65 and over every year. Pensioners aged 80 and over get £400 per year.