Lynne Featherstone MP has today welcomed news that the Government’s ‘cold weather payment’ has been triggered in Hornsey and Wood Green – meaning that many constituents will receive extra money towards their fuel bills.

The payment is a fixed amount for each week of cold weather. For many years this was set at £8.50 per week. The Coalition Government has made the £25 rate permanent. Last year – winter 2011/2012 – 5.2 million individual payments were made, worth a total of £129.2 million.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone said:

“I’m glad that during these really cold periods, the Coalition Government is giving vulnerable residents extra money to cover the cost of their energy bills.

“Payments are made automatically to those entitled to them. There should be no need to make a claim, but constituents of Hornsey and Wood Green who think they may be entitled but do not receive a payment can contact me – and my team will investigate for them.”