In a heartfelt response to the ongoing cost of living crisis, financial expert Martin Lewis has released a guide aimed at helping UK households, particularly state pensioners, stay warm this winter without relying on central heating.
Lewis expressed his dismay at the necessity of creating such a guide, mainly because many pensioners will not receive the £300 Winter Fuel Payment this year. “I felt sad asking my team to put this together, but my email bag is full of people so desperate they can’t put the heat on. I wanted to try to help,” he shared.
The guide, compiled during significant financial strain, suggests several affordable alternatives for staying warm, including heated USB gloves, hand warmers, electric gilets, and electric blankets. “This is a guide I really wish we needn’t be publishing,” Lewis stated. He emphasized that the initiative stems from numerous requests for assistance from those struggling to meet their energy bills.
For those looking to cut down on energy costs, Lewis highlighted budget-friendly options. An electric blanket can be purchased for as little as £14, costing only 3p per hour to operate, which amounts to approximately £1.37 per week when used for seven hours daily. Similarly, an electric gilet, or heated jacket, requires a one-time investment of £46 and operates for just 4p per week. The USB gloves, a more economical option at £5 for the initial purchase, incur a weekly cost of only 4p.
Consumer advocate Jack Monroe commended Lewis’s efforts, stating, “Thank you for your vital and heartbreaking service, friend. I know this is taking a toll on you; please take care of yourself. We need you now more than ever, but we need you well and fit for what’s to come.”
In response, Lewis acknowledged the pressure he feels but noted that it pales in comparison to the struggles faced by many families. “Yes, I’m feeling the pressure, but that’s trivial compared to the trauma many are facing being unable to afford to live,” he remarked.
As the winter months approach, Martin Lewis’s guide serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking warmth and comfort amid financial uncertainty.
Martin Lewis expressed that he ‘felt disappointed’ about requesting his team to compile
