61-year old Jan and her husband live in sheltered accommodation. Both have severe arthritis and diabetes, and need the heating on constantly. Ideally it would be at 25°C but they’ve turned the temperature down to 20. Below that, Jan says, it becomes too painful. They are already on the lowest tariff, but their income has shrunk, and bills are estimated to go up by £6 per week this winter. Jan is unimpressed by government advice to put on a jumper, saying, “There comes a point where you can’t put any more clothes on.” They have had to cut back on food. She used to help out her adult children with little gifts: a guide uniform for her granddaughter, or a bit of extra pocket money, but that’s more difficult now.

Source: http://figr.es/s342