Don’t leave disabled people in the cold, says leading charity

Ahead of next Tuesday’s emergency budget, disability charity Papworth Trust is calling on the Liberal Democrats to fulfil their manifesto promise to extend Winter Fuel Payments to severely disabled people.

Currently, annual Winter Fuel Payments are given to help with heating costs in households which include someone aged 60 or over. Like older people, many disabled people find themselves at home for long periods each day, and need central heating to keep warm. But whereas over 25% of Winter Fuel Payments go to households where the income level is above £30,000[1], disabled people are twice as likely to live in poverty as non-disabled people, and often desperately need financial help to pay the heating bills.

The issue first arose at an Election Hustings event held by Papworth Trust, when Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert reassured wheelchair user Rob Nixon that he supported extending the payment to all disabled people. Rob Nixon explains why he feels so strongly: “Even in June I need to turn on the heating or I’m too cold, and I am still paying off last winter’s bill. I believe the whole system needs to be reformed.”

Many people do not realise that disabled people do not automatically get help with their heating bills. In a straw poll of 100 people, over 90% voted that Winter Fuel Payments should be extended to severely disabled people in the UK[2]. Chief Executive Adrian Bagg has written to Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander to remind them of their pledge. He says, “Winter Fuel Payments were intended to alleviate financial hardship for people whose health could be at risk if they did not turn on their heating. Papworth Trust is campaigning for the system to be reformed in line with the Liberal Democrat manifesto to help those in greatest need.”

For further information, please contact Helen Sampson, Marketing Manager, Papworth Trust, Bernard Sunley Centre, Papworth Everard, Cambridge CB23 3RG.

01480 357259 – 07528361511 - www.papworth.org.uk

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About Papworth Trust:

Papworth Trust provides a wide range of services for disabled people. It has doubled in size over the last three years.

Each year the Trust helps over 17,000 people from the East of England and beyond through a wide range of services covering Employment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Housing, Personal Support and Learning for Life and Work.

The Trust also works with the Government, employers, service providers and commissioners to promote disability equality and good practice.