Thursday 8 December 2011

Age Sector Platform has welcomed the announcement that £100 will be paid to thousands of pensioner households in Northern Ireland this winter by the NI Assembly; but warns that the Westminster Government must not be ‘let off the hook’ following its decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment this year.

The charity’s ‘Fight the Winter Fuel Cut’ campaign has gained over 17,000 signatures in opposition to the Coalition Government’s decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment by £50-£100 this year; an average of over 100 signatures every day since the campaign was launched in June 2011.

Patricia Donald, Chair of Age Sector Platform, commented: “We know from the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament held earlier this year that keeping warm in winter was the number one concern for older people from across the province, with three out of four (76%) older people saying it was a worry for them.  Bearing this in mind, we are delighted that our Executive has listened to these concerns and responded with this payment of £100 for the most vulnerable pensioners here to help them with their heating bills.  This payment is sure to make a real difference to thousands of older people this winter.”

“Unfortunately, many pensioners who do not receive pension credit will not benefit from this payment and will be forced to continue struggling with their spiralling home heating costs.  We must ensure that our Westminster Government is not let off the hook.  Our campaign against the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment will continue until the decision is reversed, and we would encourage people of all ages to sign our petition by visiting www.fightfuelcut.org or phoning
028 9031 2089.”