SNP CALL FOR COLD WEATHER AND WINTER FUEL PAYMENT INCREASE

SNP CALL FOR COLD WEATHER AND WINTER FUEL PAYMENT INCREASE

SNP Westminster Energy spokesperson Mike Weir MP has backed demands by
leading charities for the UK Government to increase cold weather fuel
payments to pensioners and vulnerable households. Mr Weir is set to raise
the issue in parliament next week.

Age Concern and Help the Aged have warned the existing UK government
support will not be enough to prevent a soaring death rate among older
people.

Mr Weir said:

“This has not just been a cold snap, but a sustained period of
freezing weather which seems set to continue and the UK government
must take immediate action to help vulnerable households.

“Cold weather and winter fuel payments have not kept pace with the
soaring increases in domestic energy bills over recent years and UK
Ministers must take action to help vulnerable households – many of
which were already in fuel poverty.

“Clearly a combination of the extreme weather, increasing bills and
the real difficulties people face because of the recession make the
situation much worse than in previous years.

“Not only is the UK Government failing to deal with fuel poverty, but
some policy, such as the levy on domestic heating oil or liquid
petroleum gas users in rural areas will make matters worse - these
energy customers do not have access to the social tariffs available to
gas customers, for example.

“Westminster needs a wake up call on fuel poverty and the SNP will be
leading demands in parliament next week for an increase in help for
vulnerable households.

"On Friday the UK Government acted quickly under SNP pressure to address
problems faced by hauliers - they must act with the same speed to reassure
Scotland's elderly that they will receive enough money to heat their homes
this winter."