Fuel poverty advertising campaign launched

Friday, 19 August 2005 12:00 AM

An advertising campaign is being launched to encourage older people to apply for the government's winter fuel payment scheme - designed to help tackle fuel poverty.

New applications received by September 23rd will get their £200 payment in time for Christmas.

"This winter about eight million households will benefit from the £200 award," said pensions minister Stephen Timms.

And a million others would receive an extra payment of £300 if they were in a household with a person of the age of 80, he said.

He continued: "The winter fuel payment underlines this government's commitment to tackling fuel poverty.

"No one should have to worry about how to heat their homes during the winter."

Winter fuel payments were introduced in the winter of 1997. At that point the scheme provided for a £50 payment for pensioner households on income support and £20 for other pensioner households.

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