Declining value of winter fuel payment leaves pensioners in the cold - Alexander

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 21st Feb 2008

The Liberal Democrats today revealed figures showing that the declining value of the Winter Fuel Payment means it only just pays for a quarter of a pensioner's fuel bills.

While the amount of the Winter Fuel Payment has been frozen at £200 for five years, fuel bills and the profits of energy companies have both risen.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Danny Alexander said:

"As fuel bills rise, thousands of older people won't be able to afford to heat their homes this winter.

"While the cost of heating homes has rocketed and the value of the basic state pension has plummeted, the Government has frozen the Winter Fuel Payment at £200 for five years. The Liberal Democrats would restore the earnings link to pensions to ensure older people would be better off."