25/03/2015

Call For Warm Home Discount To Be Extended

Over two thousand more deaths have occurred among older people living in Northern Ireland over the last four winters due to the lack of fuel poverty levels.

The figures were revealed by the charity, Age Sector Platform, responsible for the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament.

Francis Hughes from Age Sector Platform said: "Since the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament began in 2011, there have been 2,390 extra winter deaths here; with nine out of ten being over the age of 65. These harrowing statistics serve to highlight the devastating consequences fuel poverty can have for people in their later years.

"The Pensioners Parliament has already called for the extension of the Warm Home Discount to Northern Ireland, which provides the poorest pensioners with £140 off their annual energy bill. We have also called for the extension of the gas network so that more people have a choice to heat their homes with oil or gas. Finally, it's clear older people's homes must become more energy efficient to ensure their limited incomes go further when paying their energy bills."

(CD/MH)

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