BRUCE WELCOMES FIRST PAYOUT FROM NEW COLD WEATHER STATION (BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats)

BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats <info@banffandbuchanlibdems.org.uk>

BRUCE WELCOMES FIRST PAYOUT FROM NEW COLD WEATHER STATION

January 24, 2012 9:04 AM
Originally published by The Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce MP

Malcolm Bruce, MP for Gordon has welcomed the release of the first Cold Weather Payments of the winter, issued after the weather station that calculates when payments should be made was changed.

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that the first period of 7 consecutive days of freezing temperatures has been recorded at a new weather station at Aboyne, triggering the release of Cold Weather Payments for constituents in West Gordon.

In October the UK Government announced that the weather stations used to determine which postcodes qualify for Cold Weather Payments would change.

Cold Weather Payments for postcode areas AB51-AB55, including the towns of Inverurie, Insch and Huntly, are now triggered by readings from Aboyne, rather than the weather station at Dyce as was the case previously.

Mr Bruce commented: "This is good news for households across West Gordon. Cold Weather Payments make a real difference, helping people afford to keep the heating on when temperatures plummet.

"By designating a new and more appropriate weather station at Aboyne, the scheme now finally reflects the fact that winter temperatures inland are lower than those typically experienced at Dyce.

"Its practical effect is likely to be that people in these areas will receive Cold Weather Payments more often. I have made regular and strenuous representations on this matter for many years and I am delighted that the Coalition Government has reacted positively and addressed this discrepancy."

Mr Bruce explained: "Cold weather payments are separate from, and in addition to, winter fuel payments. The previous Labour Government had intended to reduce the payment from £25 to £8.50, but this change has been overturned and the £25 rate made permanent by the UK Government."

ENDS