Black ‘Many Still Living in Fuel Poverty’

SDLP North Antrim candidate Councillor Orla Black has raised concern about the number of elderly people still living in fuel poverty.

Councillor Black said: “According to the latest figures from Help the Aged over 82,000 older people still live in fuel poverty. It is highly unacceptable that in this day and age the older people in our communities are afraid to heat their homes adequately and are wearing outdoor clothing whilst indoors in order to keep warm.

“Whilst the Government have invested considerable resources in its Fuel Poverty Strategy it is obvious that many elderly are not being reached. This issue is one that should be dealt with urgently as these figures prove that the initiatives have not been as effective at targeting older people as they should be.

“The SDLP has written to the minister to ask him why resources cannot be applied to target the elderly as a matter of urgency to carry out benefit checks to ensure they are claiming all that they are entitled to.  This procedure needs to be carried out without form filling which in itself is a stressful exercise for the older person. 

“I feel that we should all support Help the Aged’s proposal that the Government undertakes a research exercise to reduce winter deaths among older people. The Welsh Assembly have already committed themselves to this exercise and in Scotland it is common-place that all older people receive free central heating and insulation.  It is high time Northern Ireland caught up for the benefit of our older people.”