Concerns are being fuelled by the posisbility of further restrictions to combat Covid-19 and their impact on the most vulnerable who have already endured months of isolation.
Community and charity leaders are particularly worried about the elderly and those shielding who could again be trapped in their homes and whose support networks will be further disrupted.
The situation, says Citizens Advice Jersey chief executive Malcolm Ferey, is exacerbated by a sharp rise in gas prices, which could lead to pensioners being too afraid to turn on their heating.
Earlier this year, Jersey Gas announced a 6.5% rise to its tariffs. The company said that it had no choice but to increase bills because it had been denied payroll co-funding by the government despite seeing its revenue plummet.
Age Concern vice-chairman Ben Shenton said that the festive period was a difficult time for many, and that this year could be particularly challenging.
Older people are deemed to be at high risk of developing complications should they catch coronavirus.
Mr Shenton said: ‘It could be a very difficult winter for many of our members.Those who have been quite resilient at the beginning may start to find the isolation quite depressing.’
He added that the organisation would continue to help its members over the winter months.
‘This can be the loneliest time,’ said Mr Shenton. ‘We normally close over the Christmas period but instead we will continue to check in and provide some services to our members.’
In May, Jersey Gas implemented a 6.5% tariff increase after sales dropped by 45% during the Covid-19 outbreak.
This led to major concerns that the hikes would significantly impact elderly Islanders, many of whom use gas to heat their houses.
Mr Ferey said that the tariff increase could cause extra strain for Jersey’s elderly should the winter months prove to be particularly difficult.
‘A significant proportion of gas users tend to be the elderly population,’ he explained. ‘So with pensions and other things not increasing, but a 6.5% gas price rise, there certainly could be extra financial strain, depending on how harsh the winter is.’
Mr Ferey added that he was aware of the potential adversity facing vulnerable Islanders and said that the Financial Impact Action Group – formed to help the community with issues affecting personal finances – was ‘continuing to meet and exchange ideas on how to support the elderly and vulnerable members of the community’.
‘It’s about being able to guide people to the right support services,’ he added. ‘As the vulnerable members are not always immediately apparent we, as a community, need to continue to look out for each other.’
Carl Walker, chairman of the Jersey Consumer Council, has previously raised concerns that pensioners could be ‘too afraid to put their heating on’ in winter if the gas tariff increase was not rescinded.
‘We’ve called on Jersey Gas and the government to remain in talks and stay in the room until they have sorted this out,’ said Mr Walker. ‘The weather has finally turned and people will start to use gas. We are particularly concerned for our elderly residents who, even in the best of times, will be hesitant to turn the heating on.’
During a press conference earlier this week, Chief Minister John Le Fondré called on Islanders to continue to work together to combat any potential Covid spikes during the colder months.
He said: ‘If we can all keep working together, can support the community and the most high-risk, then we will all get through this winter together.’
