One third of pensioners in the Kingdom miss out on Cold Weather Payments

11.30.00am GMT Tue 19th Jan 2010

Up to one third of pensioners in the Kingdom will miss out on Cold Weather Payments triggered by the recent weather, according to analysis of Government figures by MP Willie Rennie.

Cold Weather Payments of £25 a week are paid to people on low incomes who receive a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit. Four thousand pensioners in the Kingdom are currently receiving Cold Weather Payments, however, an estimated further 2,000 pensioners are eligible but are not receiving the payments.

Commenting Willie Rennie said:

"It is a scandal that so many pensioners in the Kingdom are missing out on these payments.

"Fuel prices are at an all time high, making Cold Weather Payments all the more important to people already struggling on a poverty pension.

"Labour has failed pensioners in the Kingdom by creating a complicated system that makes it difficult for them to get the help they desperately need.

"The Government should be making every effort to identify pensioners who are missing out and get them this extra cash."