Pensioners helped to warm up and prevent savings erosion

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Pensioners received a boost today with the news that financial support form the government is going to increase during the cold winter.

At a meeting with a pensioners group in south London, the chancellor, Gordon Brown, revealed the measure to help keep pensioners warm and prevent the need for them to spend all their savings and get into debt to heat their homes.

"All pensioners who need their homes insulated or require central heating will now be able to benefit from either free or discounted installation of central heating and insulation," Mr Brown said.

"We estimate that there are two million pensioner homes without insulation and half a million pensioner homes without central heating. Because I do not want any pensioner to go cold we will now do more than ever before to help pensioners through the winter months."

Mr Brown announced details of the £300 million measures, including the Winter Fuel Allowance, which stands at £200 at least and is paid annually.

All pensioner households over 60 can benefit from the fuel scheme, with those households over 80 years old eligible for an extra £100 a year.

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