Derby Pensioners face Winter Fuel payment wipeout

12.00.00am GMT Thu 17th Jan 2008

Lucy Care is campaigning for a better deal for local pensioners

LIBERAL Democrats in Derby are calling on the Government to protect local pensioners from energy price rises. They have made the call after figures showed that recent increases in the cost of electricity and gas are set to wipe out pensioners' winter fuel payment.

Figures received by the Liberal Democrats from the House of Commons Library 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, gas bills have gone up by £260pa and electricity by £160pa - a total of £420

· For a typical pensioner household aged over 75 gas bills are up £200pa and electricity bills up £150pa - a total of £350

· The value of the Winter Fuel Payment per household for those aged 60-79 is £200, and £300 for those aged over 80

· The £300 rate for the over 80s was introduced in the winter of 2003/04 and hasn't risen since

"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 Derby North Campaigner Cllr Lucy Care.

"This will leave many Derby residents in a difficult financial position.

"The Government must do far more to combat fuel poverty. The top priority must be to end the scandal where pensioners are paying a fortune to heat draughty houses where a lot of the heat is simply wasted. Many older people are currently paying to heat the great outdoors in addition to their own home.

"This is a waste of scarce cash and also makes no sense for the environment.

"There are schemes available to provide home insulation for most pensioners and many people on Benefits, but people often don't know about them. For example British Gas will provide free loft and cavity wall insulation for eligible people. All they need do is phone British Gas on 0845 6052535.

"In Derby last year, the Liberal Democrats proposed opening an energy advice shop to make it easier for people to find out more. Labour councillors rejected this, and the council-owned shop is still empty - and people's homes still need energy improvements.

"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.

"The Government needs to get its act together and make sure that our pensioners don't have to make a choice between heating and eating on cold winter days."