‘Keep the heating on’ – local people paid out in cold snap
Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham, has today urged vulnerable local families 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.
Mr Umunna said: “As the cold weather continues, I don’t want vulnerable people in Streatham 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 thousands of 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.
Payments were triggered in London on 4th January, meaning more than half a million people will benefit from payments totalling over £13 million.
As well as the Cold Weather payments, over 12.3 million older people will benefit from Winter Fuel payments, totalling about £2.7bn. This compares to the less than £60m a year spent by the Tories in 1997.
