LOCAL RESIDENTS FACE WINTER FUEL PAYMENT WIPE OUT - GIDLEY

12.00.00am GMT Mon 21st Jan 2008

Local MP, Sandra Gidley, is calling on the Government to protect pensioners across Hampshire and Southampton from energy price rises. She has 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 Sandra.

"This will leave many local residents in a financially difficult position.

Sandra's call comes after Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Steve Webb MP, pushed the Prime Minister on higher fuel bills for pensioners at Prime Minister's Question Time.

"It beggars belief that the Government are cutting spending on the Warm Front insulation programme at a time the typical pensioner now faces bills at least £300 higher than those of four years ago" added Sandra.

"The Government can do far more to combat fuel poverty. A 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.

"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."

ENDS