Heating Crisis Looms For NI Elderly

Old people in NI are facing stark choices, sometimes having to decide between buying themselves food, or buying fuel for heating their homes.

The Alliance party Social Development Spokesperson Anna Lo has expressed shock at NI Housing Executive figures that show a 20% increase in the number of older people living on their own facing fuel poverty.

The South Belfast MLA said that even though the budget is being cut-back, the Government needs to do more to tackle this problem.

She was commenting on news that the number of those facing fuel poverty in NI this winter has risen by 20% on last year.

Charities are asking for automatic payment of benefits for the elderly, which will reduce the burden on the NHS and enable older people to stay warm.

Anne O'Reilly from Age NI also said it was time for the Executive to act and she appealed for NI's political leaders "to escalate the Fuel Poverty Strategy to Executive level".

"While we are relieved that the Winter Fuel and Cold Weather Payments for older people have been protected within the UK Spending Review this year, this sticking plaster approach is leading us into a 'groundhog day' situation where those most at-risk in Northern Ireland continue to suffer and die every year," she commented.

Anna Lo continued: "Fuel poverty can have absolutely devastating consequences. Despite the fact that we have had serious cuts imposed on us by Westminster, we must redouble their efforts to tackle this problem.

"There can be no excuse in our modern day society for so many people facing fuel poverty.

"It is despicable that some have to face the cold because they cannot make ends meet.

"Government needs to deliver on the Fuel Poverty Strategy because this situation has got worse in recent years. I would also encourage older people to ensure they gain the all the benefits they are entitled to and to use the Warm Homes scheme if they meet the criteria.

"This is a matter of social justice and government must not fail older people.

"Government simply cannot let vulnerable people go into another winter with the fear of not being able to keep themselves warm."

It is generally accepted there are about 1,000 cold-related deaths in Northern Ireland each winter.

A spokesman for Stormont Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood yesterday agreed that fuel poverty must be addressed.

Pensioners receive a one-off winter fuel allowance of £250 which rises to £400 for the over 80s, but according to Minister Attwood, it costs around £700 to heat a two bedroom bungalow for a year, which means stark choices for the elderly on their choice of expenditure.

(BMcC/GK)