14 March 2008
Help the Aged has criticised the rise in the fuel allowance for pensioners announced in this week's Budget as a "pittance" and a "gesture".
Mervyn Kohler, spokesman for Help the Aged, said the rise, from £50 to £250 for over-60s and £100 to £400 for over-80s, would not do enough to help pensioners in the long-term.
A combination of the rising cost of fuel bills, higher water rates, council tax and hikes in food prices are all taking their toll on older people, the charity claimed.
"Older people need far more than gestures while energy prices spiral ever upwards," he remarked.
Mr Kohler explained that when the winter fuel level was first introduced five years ago, it was sufficient to pay half of an average heating bill; now, however, it only pays between 25% and 40%.
Responding to the comments, pensions minister Mike O'Brien said that the allowance rise "would pay for most of the rise in power bills" for pensioners.