Many of those in retirement could be feeling the chill this winter because they cannot afford to pay high energy bills.

Conducted by uSwtich.com, research found 87 per cent of respondents are concerned about how they will pay for their utilities as the weather turns colder.

Some 55 per cent of Brits turned their heating off at some point last year to reduce expenditure and this figure is set to rise in 2011.

Furthermore, 89 per cent claimed they will be rationing their energy usage this winter to try and save a few pennies.

Director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com Ann Robinson described the situation as "alarming".

"Almost seven million households are now in fuel poverty, with single working parents and pensioners the worst hit," she added.

There is some help available for those in retirement, however, as the government, Age UK and Met Office have teamed up to launch a new initiative that will see £20 million allocated to local councils to tackle the issue of cold housing.

© 2011 Adfero Ltd. All rights reserved. Any views and opinions expressed in news articles are not those of Just Retirement Solutions Limited. News supplied by Adfero DirectNews.