Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Liz Lynne (Liberal Democrat), on Monday, 29 January 1996, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 67 members in total.

---

COLD WEATHER PAYMENTS

That this House notes that the most recent Government figures show that in 1994 there was a total of 305 deaths of pensioners where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate; notes that this figure is certainly an underestimate of the actual number of deaths; notes also that according to Age Concern a third of all pensioner households have an indoor winter temperature below 16 centigrade (61 fahrenheit) which is the temperature at which shops and offices can legally be closed down; notes further that the current cold weather payments seven day rule fails to give pensioners the confidence to start heating their households as soon as severe cold weather starts, that cold weather payments are limited to pensioners on income support, yet take-up on income support is lowest amongst pensioners, with one-third of eligible pensioners not taking up income support; further notes that the cold weather payments system only includes one flat payment whatever the severity of weather; and therefore calls upon the Government urgently to consider relaxing the strict

---

Secondary information

Type

Early day motion

Reference

348 

Session

1995-96

Subjects

Cold weather payments Death Older people Hypothermia Age Concern

Link

View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk