Dundee Liberal Democrats express concern over declining value of winter fuel payments
Dundee Liberal Democrats have today (Saturday 23rd February) expressed concern at the declining value of winter fuel payments.
The LibDems nationally have published figures showing Winter Fuel Payment now only pays for a quarter of a pensioner's fuel bills.
Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Danny Alexander MP, said, "As fuel bills rise, thousands of older people won't be able to afford to heat their homes this winter. The Liberal Democrats would restore the earnings link to pensions to ensure older people would be better off."
Here in Dundee, LibDem councillor for Strathmartine, Cllr Helen Dick, said, "The fact that the government has frozen the Winter Fuel Payment at £200 for five years has simply eroded its value. In a week when the huge profits of the gas industry have been highlighted, there is an urgent need to properly assist older people meet the cost of ever-increasing fuel prices."