RESTORMEL RESIDENTS FACE WINTER FUEL PAYMENT WIPE OUT

11.18.41am GMT Wed 23rd Jan 2008

Fuel bills for local pensioners have increased by hundreds of pounds in just three years and have risen well above the Government's Winter Fuel Payment, according to research by the Liberal Democrats.

Figures show that since 2004/5, and taking into account recently announced price rises, for a typical pensioner household aged 65-74 with gas central heating, annual gas bills have gone up by £260 and electricity by £160 - a total of £420. For a typical pensioner household aged over 75 gas bills are up £200 and electricity bills up £150 - a total of £350.

At these rates the Winter Fuel Payment no longer meets the costs of heating. Pensioner households aged 60-79 receive just £200, and only £300 is given to those aged 80+. The £300 rate for the over 80s was introduced in the winter of 2003/04 and has not been increased since.

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"Elderly and disabled people are hardest hit by the fuel price hikes, which more than wipe out the value of the Winter Fuel Payment," said Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate Stephen Gilbert.

"In many other European countries with much colder weather, household energy bills are lower because homes are better insulated and heating is more energy-efficient. But our pensioners are paying a fortune to heat draughty houses where a lot of the heat is wasted."

Liberal Democrats in St Austell & Newquay are calling on the Government to protect pensioners in Restormel from unaffordable energy costs.

Mr Gilbert added, "It's the Government's responsibility to make sure that older people don't have to make a choice between heating and eating."