PENSIONERS are going to be hit hard by the 45% increase in the price of coal. The rise is due to come into effect on Wednesday but it is not in line with the pension increase, which it has been announced will go up by £10.50 a week to £171.25 for a single person.

‘Everything goes up and the pension doesn’t go up enough to cover it,’ said Age Concern vice-chairman Roy Trustum (pictured). ‘We are worried that people will sacrifice their heating in favour of food. It’s a big problem.’

David Evans, 77, said he was lucky not to depend solely on his pension for income. ‘I think for people who rely on their pension for their total income it’s quite a high rise.’

‘People who are on a very tight budget are going to find it hard. I do wonder how some people are going to manage.’

The rise in coal prices was not taken into account in the latest review of fuel allowances, which is given to any household on supplementary benefit.