How cold is it where you are?

[Icanthinkformyselfthanks]

Are you worried about the old people who are too concerned about paying their bills because they’ve lost their WFA to put their heating on/up?

Cold. Our central heating is broken and it's miserable. House is 12 degrees. Luckily we can heat the lounge with open fire but that costs a fortune in logs!

-4 where I am west midlands. Heating set to 22 because toddler refuses blankets. I had to top up my 84yo aunt's electric today as she'd gone through her normal amount in this cold snap. One low income household here but I'm happy to lose out on something to help my relative. Wish there was a magic fix for all those in a similar boat but I can't see anything ever getting better tbh

For those on the old state pension, they’ve only gone up by a small amount, instantly wiped out by cost of living increases!

100% this. My FIL will be sitting in a freezing house refusing go out the heating on and he could easily afford it. He's frail and unwell but it is a constant battle to get any support from adult social care.

Windchill right now is minus 9C. (Temp minus 5C.) Going down to windchill minus 13/temp minus 9 overnight. (North midlands... Rural/open fields and woodlands... Always colder out here!)

I am not worried about the elderly who have lost the WFA. Many people have had to suffer cuts this past few years. Not just them. Also, many pensioners have received pension credit, (since the WFA was cut for many,) along with a rise in their pension.

I think the effects of the WFA being cut has been massively over exaggerated. (For the most part.) I don't believe many pensioners are going into libraries and cafes to keep warm because of the WFA being cut. I just don't.

@Icanthinkformyselfthanks Yes it's cold. But trying to conflate a political argument is not ideal.
Many people are having to worry about putting the heating on.

Many people are having to worry about putting the heating on.

This.

It was minus four when I went to the summer house to exercise. I got very sweaty but my toes remained numb and my drink gave me brain freeze 😂

We don’t have gas central heating and don’t have a fire going. We have one oil filled electric heater on in the front room during the day and one on low in the kids room overnight. We’re all fairly comfortable in a timber framed cottage with shit insulation. I don’t really know how, we just are!

-2.

My DD is at Scout camp... there was still snow on the ground from last week! I think they are mad.

I think many people, not just the elderly, are struggling with fuel costs, either due to genuine need or not feeling they can afford even if they can.

@soupfiend , it’s not a red herring. Old people are frail and vulnerable.

Not just 'old people'. Anyone who can't afford to put on the heating.

@Pebbles16 , I wish that was not so but older people are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia.

-3 where I am in the north west. On the bus people argue about having a window open to avoid picking up illness/want it closed to keep warm which is why they’re on there in the first place.

Massive pensions for sure! £948 a month ! That's for those jot eligible for winter payment. Nonidea what they're moaning about....

@AyeYCan , two different subjects. Adult social care is a huge problem.

-4 here. Would like to have the heating on more than we do, but simply can't afford it. Not struggling compared to many though, so consider myself lucky.
It's scandalous that it's come to this point where people can't keep warm.

It's about -4 where I am, and about -9 a few hundred miles away where my very elderly (late 80s) and quite poor parents are. I've told them to have the heating on 24/7 and I'll pay for it.

They aren't Boomers, they are the so-called "Silent Generation" (born between 1928-1945) and their teeny savings against a rainy day have taken them out of the winter fuel allowance.

I'm sick of the ageism.

@IVFmumoftwo , absolutely my younger son has a baby and a little girl; they are often all in bed to try and keep warm. Unfortunately following the recent budget heating bills will be rising further. My husband and I worry about them and others like them a lot. Old people though are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia.

It was -7 when i left for work this morning. -3 on my way home at 6pm. My dad struggled going to his garage tonight because of the cold on his chest. My parents are Silent Generation. My mum hasnt left the house in a over a year now.

@DoloresODonovan , your poor mum it must be such a worry for you but she is typical of older people and that worries me. I hope you can persuade her to crank up the thermostat. 🙏🏻

-24 here last night.

they’ve had 40+ years to save into a pension. Not my problem.

@DGPP , so your parents are ok; I’m glad to hear that and I can accept that an element of means testing could be considered reasonable but not at the very low cut off point that has been imposed.

Yes, I’m concerned for anyone who is struggling to afford heating at this time as it is very cold indeed at the moment.

My DC and I have been volunteering at our local church who have established a warm hub and provides hot soup, warm drinks and heat! We have been so busy it just goes to show there is a need for this!

Don't know how cold it is outside as I've not been out except to feed the birds. I have my heating on 17 and it costs c£5 a day (if it's on all day when I'm in), but that really is only when it's this cold which is never very many days over a year.

I worry about anyone who can't afford their hearing on, but I don't think age should be the determining factor.

@LadyKenya , I agree it’s a problem for a lot of people but elderly people are the most vulnerable to hypothermia.