GB News’s Ben Leo was left furious by this morning’s announcement that the average household energy bill is to increase by £149 from October.
Ofgem said it was increasing its price caps as homes approach the winter months.
Ben accused Labour of not being open about its plans and suggested pensioners are set to feel the pinch more than anyone else.
He said on GB News: “Those train drivers need to be paid somehow, who cares about the pensioners?
Ben Leo is furious at how pensioners are being treated
PA / GB NEWS
“It really irks me how pensioners in this country are treated as third-class citizens.
“These are the people who built this country. They grafted for decades and were lucky enough to buy their own homes.
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“They are able to enjoy capital gain from that but there seems to be some jealous, envious agenda against them.
“I just find it despicable how these pensioners are treated as third class citizens.”
Ben’s co-host, Dawn Neesom, said Britons are likely to be “spitting feathers” in response to the development.
Ofgem announced it it hiking its price cap by 10 per cent from the current £1,568 for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales to £1,717.
The regulator blamed rising prices in the international energy market on heightened political tensions and extreme weather events.
Households are now faced with higher bills going into the colder winter months.
Millions of pensioners have been served a double whammy with the development after it was announced they would receive less support.
The new government has opted to scrap winter fuel payments for those who do not receive pension credits or other benefits.
Energy bills are set to rise
GETTYAbout 10 million pensioners will miss out on the payments of up to £300 this year.
Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said: “We know that this rise in the price cap is going to be extremely difficult for many households.
“Anyone who is struggling to pay their bill should make sure they have access to all the benefits they are entitled to, particularly pension credit, and contact their energy company for further help and support.”
He also urged consumers to “shop around” and consider a fixed-rate tariff that could save money.
“We are working with Government, suppliers, charities and consumer groups to do everything we can to support customers, including longer term standing charge reform, and steps to tackle debt and affordability,” he added.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the announcement “will be deeply worrying news for many families”.
He blamed the price cap hike on the “failed energy policy we inherited, which has left our country at the mercy of international gas markets controlled by dictators”.
“We will also do everything in our power to protect bill payers, including by reforming the regulator to make it a strong consumer champion, working to make standing charges fairer, and a proper Warm Homes Plan to save families money.”
