Published: Tuesday, 12th January, 2010 5:12pm

Call for cold weather payment boost

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SNP MSP Adam Ingram is backing demands by leading charities for the UK Government to increase cold weather fuel payments to pensioners and vulnerable households.

Mr Ingram's colleague Mike Weir MP is set to raise the issue in Westminster this week.

Age Concern and Help the Aged have warned the existing UK government

support will not be enough to prevent a soaring death rate among older

people.

Mr Ingram said: "Ayrshire has seen some of the worst weather in many years which has not just been a cold snap, but a sustained period of freezing weather which seems set to continue right across the country and the UK government must take immediate action to help vulnerable households.

"Cold weather and winter fuel payments have not kept pace with the soaring increases in domestic energy bills over recent years and UK Ministers must take action to help vulnerable households - many of which were already in fuel poverty.

"Clearly a combination of the extreme weather, increasing bills and the real difficulties people face because of the recession make the situation much worse than in previous years.

" Westminster needs a wake up call on fuel poverty and the SNP will be leading demands in Westminster this week for an increase in help for vulnerable households.