The one-off payment from Stormont of £100 for pensioners affected by winter fuel cuts is nowhere near acceptable and will leave many of our most vulnerable in dire circumstances this winter. 

The reality is that this one-off payment of £100 will go to those who would have been receiving £200/£300 before the cuts which would have helped them get through what is going to be a long, cold winter for many. Many people are going to struggle this winter and the fact this payment may not be made until March is further reason for concern.

In order to qualify for the payment of up to £300, pensioners must receive pension credit or other means-tested benefits. From August to October this year, 3,026 applications for pension credit had been received, a rise of about 56% from the same time last year.

Fuel poverty exposes households to the cold, and the cold kills. Excess winter deaths are avoidable; they should not be accepted as part of winter. Many low-income workers and families, including pensioners, will suffer the preventable health impacts of living in a cold and damp home.

Urgent action is needed to improve health outcomes and support our most vulnerable.

Fuel poverty is growing. We need immediate action to stop more unnecessary deaths due to the cold. We require planning and action across many sectors to ensure a solution. 

📍Our fuel and energy companies must be brought under public control and run in our interests.

📍Initiate a comprehensive home insulation scheme.

📍Confirm an initial emergency fuel payment of at least £250 for every household with a realistic fuel allowance each month for those on welfare and low wages. 

📍Legislate for a Fuel Poverty Strategy and taskforce to address current and future need.

📍Prioritise renewable energies over fossil fuels.