Cost of emergency alarms to increase 64 per cent for Sheffield's older people
“We recognise the increase could impact older and more vulnerable tenants, and many of those are living on minimal incomes”
More than 1,000 older council residents will pay more for their emergency alarm service in Sheffield.
From January, 1,173 tenants living in specialised council accommodation will pay £7.29 per week instead of £4.44 per week for their emergency alarms as they have for the last nine years.
The 24-hour emergency response alarms support over-60s to live independently and safely in their homes.
The alarms could be pull cords, pendant alarms, bed occupancy sensors or fall detectors, so older people can alert for help if they get into difficulty.
Tenants are required to sign up to the alarm service as part of their council tenancy, so must pay the increased rate.
The change, approved at the Sheffield City Council housing policy committee on October 22, intends to address the pressure that the charge no longer covers the cost of providing the service.
The council's current estimates indicate a financial pressure of around £167,000 in 2026/27, subsidised from the council's housing budget.
A report to the committee said the change also addresses inconsistencies where older tenants pay less for alarms than other council house tenants whose cost increased in April 2025.
Public consultation took place over the summer, which a report to the council said gained a "relatively low number of responses” but concerns were raised by some tenants about paying more for a service they rarely use.
Louise Giles, service manager of older peoples independent living at the council, said: “We do recognise that the increase could impact older and more vulnerable tenants and many of those are living on fixed or minimal incomes.”
However, she told councillors the proposal was to ensure a “fair, consistent and financially sustainable approach to providing a very important and essential service”.
Councillor Hannah Cawley asked about the additional support that came with proposals and how it would reach the people who really need it.
Ms Giles said with neighbourhood officers on site through the week, the council was confident information would reach every tenant.
For example, tenants in independent accommodation should have a weekly welfare support call with the neighbourhood officer, which Ms Giles said was an opportunity to discuss concerns.
Coun Johnson said the support offered to tenants with this change is not just about meeting the cost of the alarms which is “fairly minor in the grand scheme of things” but also for help with rent, council tax and other concerns.
Coun Rebecca Atkinson commented on the proportionally large (64 per cent) increase, after nine years at £4.44, and the impact of that on tenants' weekly outgoings.
“I think it's much easier for people to budget when there’s incremental increases in cost, if there hasn’t been an increase for nine years," she said.
“I think going forward it's much easier for people to deal with increases and changes to their budget when it's over a period of time rather than in one go."
Ms Giles said: “I fully agree with that. We absolutely need to make sure that we do that.”
This echoed concerns from the public consultation about the size of the cost increase and suggestions it is instead kept as low as possible and gradually upped.