Recently, Age UK called on the Government to provide an additional one-off payment of £50 to all those eligible for Cold Weather Payments in the face of rising winter poverty.

The charity also argued existing Cold Weather Payments should also be brought forward to ensure that payments in arrears arrive no later than seven working days after a period of cold weather.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, commented: “As temperatures plummet this winter, millions of vulnerable older people are feeling trapped at home, too scared to go out for fear of catching Covid, and too scared to turn the heating on for fear of racking up a bill they can’t afford.

“We cannot let a situation continue where people are so worried about rising bills that they either put their health at risk by not keeping their homes warm enough or feel forced to cut back on meals to make ends meet.