Heat Turned Up On 'Cold House' At Stormont

Pensioners were at Parliament Buildings today (pictured) to protest against the rising costs of heating their homes, as it emerged one of the reasons winter fuel payments cannot be reviewed is because of the failure of the NI Executive to meet.

The 'Can't Heat or Eat' demonstration was organised by the pressure group, Age Sector Platform, which said the Executive should be doing more to help older people.

Its demands include increasing the winter fuel payment and automatically paying pension credit for three months.

"It is essential that government acts to prevent unnecessary hardship for older people," said Anne O'Reilly of Age Concern.

Last week the Alliance Party's Trevor Lunn met Minister for Social Development Margaret Ritchie to outline his plan aimed at tackling fuel poverty amongst older people.

"I believe Margaret Ritchie is very sympathetic to the needs of older people and others affected by the rise in fuel prices but if she has proposals to bring forward they have to pass the Executive first.

"This is another example of essential work being frustrated by our so-called leaders playing politics at the expense of the people who put them where they are today," he said.

The MLA's comments came as the chilly relationship between the two main parties and the subsequent political stand-off enters its 151st day, as the Executive has not met since June.

However, there are behind the scenes moves taking place, as it is understood that Sinn Féin and the DUP are briefing their respective Assembly teams at Stormont following weekend talks between party executives to end the impasse.

It is thought the two parties could now be inching towards an agreement on policing and justice.

The pressure is already on and not just from the protesting pensioners as Ulster Unionist Ministers Michael McGimpsey and Sir Reg Empey are due to put a motion before the Assembly calling on the Executive to meet.

(BMcC)