News
Winter Fuel Payments Debated At Westminster
23rd November 2011
The issue of winter fuel payments was yesterday debated and opposed at Wetminster in an opposition day motion by the DUP, who urged the government to review its plans to cut the Winter Fuel Payments this year by £50 for those aged between 60 and 79 and by £100 for those aged over £80.
The debate was introduced by Nigel Dodds MP, who called the planned cuts 'appalling' and urged the governmet to introduce 'urgent steps to ease the burden on pensioner households'.
In addition, Works and Pensions Minister Steve Webb accused Labour of introducing a series of one-off payments prioir to the last general election, despite that fact that it had planned to reverse the payment schemes, had the party been elected. He explained that the government had reversed plans to 'slash' the winter weather payments and pointed out that the triple lock pensions scheme was evidence of the government's focus on helping pensioners.
Mr. Webb told MP's that the solution to the winter fuel crisis lay in energy efficiency, rather than one-off payments. The debate culminated in a vote and the motion was defeated by 280 votes to 205.
However, while the motion was not passed, members of the 'Fight the Winter Fuel Cuts' campaign have said that they are confident the 205 votes in favour it were enough to continue building support an momentum for the cause.
In further reducing costs this winter, Harlequin are also urging customers to ensure that their oil tanks are safe and secure and that older, single skin models are checked for potential splits as the contents of the tank are most likely worth considerably more than the oil tank itself. Harlequin encourages all of its customers to opt for more environmentally friendly, bunded oil tanks in all instances as a means of protecting fuel and ensuring that your tank is compliant with all relevant regulations.
