Bishop Auckland MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, Helen Goodman sought to reassure local people that those most in need will receive automatic cold weather payments.
Helen said, “In this cold weather, it is very important that people put their health first. This is why the Government is making automatic cold weather payments to people who receive Pension Credit or if they receive Income Support, and also have children under five, or receive a disability or pensioner premium. In the North, cold weather payments have been triggered three times already, and in September the Government decided to increase payments from £8.50 per week to £25. The money is paid within two weeks of being triggered, and should arrive before people receive their fuel bills, so people should not hesitate to turn up their heating.”
Mrs Goodman added that the government was pursuing various long-term measures to cut fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency, stating that the Warm Front scheme had already benefitted over 6,000 Bishop Auckland constituents.
To obtain further details on cold weather payments, visit www.direct.gov.uk or contact www.dwp.gov.uk.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
