Elderly struggling to pay fuel bills

the BBC news website has this about older people struggling to pay their fuel bills: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6202266.stm

Last year there were nearly 25000 deaths as a result of preventable cold related issues. Millions of older people live in misery during the winter months because they can't afford to heat their homes.

The UK has a higher number of winter deaths than in colder European countries. EU countries that experience more severe winters than the UK, such as Finland, Denmark and Austria, all have much lower levels of winter deaths and as I am sure will come as no surprise, lower fuel costs.

Age Concern and Help the Aged are campaigning to improve the situation and are asking members of the public to write to their MP. More information can be found by following these links:
http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/ftf_campaign.asp

http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/en-gb/Campaigns/WinterDeaths/WhatWeWant/default.htm#what

Despite rising gas and electricity bills, however, ministers say there will be no rise in this year's winter pay-out.
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said pensioners' incomes were "higher than they have ever been".
He said the government was "proud of its record in tackling pensioner poverty" and as a result of changes since 1997, average pensioner households were now £1,400 a year better off.

Lies, damned lies and statistics.