[user104658]

Originally Posted by bots

the problem with means testing, is that it automatically excludes some from applying, either through pride, or not wanting to share private details or they may simply miss it by not knowing their entitlement. This is particularly true for the elderly. It also adds significant overhead to both the time it takes to process a claim, and the cost of actually doing the means testing

Tbf there are other ways to do it and I have heard noises from Labour about "other options" such as making the energy companies themselves more accountable. In theory, for example, you could make it that energy companies have to have a special tariff for households with only over-65's, offering rock bottom "at cost" unit prices (year round) and maybe build in a guarantee of no sudden rate hikes.

But we'll see.