Age Concern and Help the Aged have both made calls for the government to increase fuel payments for pensioners during the prolonged big freeze.
They are warning that the 36,700 winter deaths from last year will be exceeded unless something is done quickly.
Currently, the government pays a one-off payment to all pensioners of £250 for the over-60s and £400 for the over-80s. When the weather stays cold for more than seven consecutive days, a one-off, means-tested payment of £25 is made. Suppliers often make grants, but according to the charities, this is no longer viable.
Mervyn Kohler, spokesperson for the charity, says that the winter fuel payment “no longer pays very much of a normal energy bill, the insulation and draft proofing programmes are not working very broadly and the consequences are going to be, more people die, more people are going to get ill, put pressure on the NHS, and more people are going to feel miserable.”
We say: These payments are pathetic given the rising costs of fuel over the last few years, and the government doesn’t seem to want to do any more. If you can volunteer, do so – if you can help your elderly neighbours, ask them. Otherwise, help Age Concern or Help the Aged.
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