CAN'T HEAT OR EAT CAMPAIGN

Early day motion 2485, tabled 12 November 2008 by Mark Durkan (Social Democratic and Labour Party). Signed by 30 members.

That this House recognises the imminent crisis faced by older people suffering from poverty this winter; notes the particular impact of fuel and food price rises on older citizens; applauds the Can't Heat or Eat campaign being run by Help the Aged, Age Concern and the Age Sector Platform; is concerned at the low uptake of pension credit; calls for the automatic payment of pension credit to all pensioners for three months to provide support through this winter's challenges and to enhance future take-up; supports the campaign's call for an emergency trust fund to be set up to address fuel poverty and for an increase in the winter fuel payment to £500; further calls for the restoration of the earnings link for the state pension without delay; welcomes the call for promotion of advice on benefits and debt management; and further calls on the Government to work with devolved administrations and relevant agencies to deliver these measures.

Signatures by party: Labour 15, Liberal Democrat 5, DUP 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1, UKIP 1.