Keep the heating on’ is
Jacqui Smith MP’s message
to vulnerable people
during the cold snap
Jacqui Smith MP today told
vulnerable families in Redditch not to worry about turning up the
heat as the Government pays out millions in Cold Weather
Payments.
Around £200 million in payments has
been racked up so far this winter, with just over £70 million of
this over the cold New Year’s weekend.
Jacqui
said;
"As the cold weather continues, I
don’t want vulnerable people to feel left in the cold. I especially
want the elderly to know that extra help is on the
way.
"There are two ways we are helping
this winter – with Winter Fuel payments of £250 or £400 for the
over 80s, and many people in our area getting the increased Cold
Weather Payments of £25.
"The payments are automatic so
everyone entitled will get them and should not worry about turning
up their heating."
Nine new weather stations were
introduced this year in a bid to provide a more accurate assessment
for those affected. In the Coleshill Weather
Station area that covers Redditch there are over 300,000 eligible
people.
As well as the Cold Weather
payments, over 12.3 million older people will benefit from Winter
Fuel payments, totalling about £2.7bn.
Jacqui Smith MP
To contact Jacqui about this
article, please email her at smithjj@parliament.uk
| 
