Rochdale Lib Dems: Invest £1,688,120 to double Warm Home Discount and prevent 6029 pensioners in Rochdale going cold this winter
Rochdale, Heywood & Middleton's Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to double the Warm Home Discount for existing recipients and make it available to 919 extra pensioners across Rochdale Borough. The measure would prevent pensioners being forced to "choose between eating and heating this winter", say the Lib Dems.
The call comes amid fears that local residents, particularly 6029 pensioners on low incomes, could be at risk from the energy crisis this winter.
The Warm Home Discount, funded by energy firms, is due to give people £140 off their electricity bill this winter. It is available to those who receive the 'Guarantee Credit' element of pension credit as well as some people on low incomes, with around two million receiving it each year across the UK.
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to take on the cost of the Warm Home Discount and immediately double its value to £280, helping pensioners cope with soaring bills this winter.
Currently £715,400 is spent on the Warm Home Discount across Rochdale Borough. Under Liberal Democrat plans this funding would rise to £1,688,120
Commenting on the new scheme, Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Rochdale Borough Council, Cllr Andy Kelly said:
"The Conservatives are pushing the most vulnerable pensioners and families into a cost of living crisis. We are seeing a double whammy of rising bills and the slashing of vital support.
"Residents across Rochdale should not have to choose between heating and eating this winter. We simply cannot allow those who are already struggling to bear the brunt of this government's terrible mistakes.
"Liberal Democrats are calling for a £1,688,120 investment to help people cope with soaring bills this winter."
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey MP added:
"If Boris Johnson has any interest in offering the most vulnerable in society a fair deal, he will listen to this Liberal Democrat proposal to double and extend the Warm Home Discount to the people who really need help."