‘You have to look at what you are buying and what you can afford’

Rays of sunshine poured through the windows of St Matthews Community Centre, and for the group – all members of Holbeck Elderly Aid – the warmth was a welcome reminder that the difficult, expensive winter would soon be at an end.

Elaine Bower, 62, who recently retired after more than 20 years working for homeless charity Leeds Housing Concern, has struggled with her heating bills this year, like many of her friends sat eating around the large wooden table in the centre’s hall.

“I retired two years ago, I’m living on my pension and it’s quite scary how much of my savings I’m using,” she said.

“I’m using 25-35 per cent of my weekly income on fuel for heating. £25 a week goes on gas, never mind electricity. I have got to make a conscious effort to cut down on my fuel.

For Colin Newsome, who regularly put on a jumper instead of turning his heating on this winter, food is also a big drain on his fixed income.

“Meat in particular has rocketed in price,” said the 77-year-old, who has been a member of the Corps of Commissionaires for 35 years. “We are all on a fixed income and you are stretching it and stretching it and eventually the elastic band is going to break.

“You have a look what your buying and what you can afford now. You can’t just chuck food in the trolley any more. I also spend £30 just to fill up the tank of my little car.”

Ms Bower added: “I have started to watch what I am buying in the supermarkets because I notice it’s eating into my money. I do buy cheaper brands.”

Wilfred Woodhouse , 81, admitted he finds it difficult to keep up with the rising cost of fuel and that there was “no comparison” between what he was receiving in income and what he had to pay out for food and to keep his car running. The car takes up a big chunk of my money. By the time I pay my insurance, MoT, petrol, what I get from my pension has drained away.”

But despite deepening financial pressures, many of the pensioners sitting down to lunch were reluctant to complain.

Mr Woodhouse grew up during the Second World War and still remembers having to survive on rations. He said: “When I was younger, about nine, we used to live on just a little bit of butter.

“We have been brought up to rough it a little bit. Now, sometimes we have a stew and we get a packet of mince – we’ll just have to make it last two or three days.

He added: “Maybe we shouldn’t have to do this now, but we’re used to it.”