Council backs Mayor’s call on Cold Weather Payments issue

THE Mayor of Lisburn Cllr Brian Heading has received the full backing of Lisburn City councillors to call on the government to maintain the winter fuel payment at its current level.

By The Newsroom

Published 1st Sep 2011, 12:16 BST

He said: “There is no sense in reducing cold weather payments as those in receipt of these are already amongst the poorest in our community and will suffer greatly if this proposed cut goes ahead.

“With the rise in electricity and gas prices many people will be in even greater fuel poverty this coming winter than last year. Government has a moral duty to look after those who are most in need in our communities.

“I will be writing to the Social Development Minister expressing concern about this cut and will be asking him to support Age Sector Platform’s call to maintain the winter fuel payment this winter at its current level at £250 for pensioner households where someone is between 60 and 79 years old and £400 for those aged 80 or over.”