Labour/Plaid Alliance must stand up for Welsh pensioners this time.

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 24th Oct 2007

The Liberal Democrats in Westminster yesterday released figures showing that the Winter Fuel Allowance now only covers 36% of the average winter fuel bill, compared with almost two thirds in 2003.

The grant is designed to cover the cost of pensioners' winter heating costs, but because rises in energy prices have not been matched by a rise in the Winter Fuel Allowance, many pensioners have been left struggling to pay their bills.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Social Justice Peter Black commented:

"This is yet another example of Labour and their Plaid helpers in Wales hoping that no one will notice that pensioner benefits have been significantly devalued. It is for the Labour/Plaid Alliance to stand up for Welsh pensioners this time, and press their allies in Westminster to increase the Winter Fuel Allowance to a realistic level.

"As energy prices continue to rise, it is essential that the Government takes effective action to tackle the root causes of fuel poverty and doesn't just attempt to lessen its effects. Here in Wales, many homes, particularly in rural areas, count as 'hard to treat' when it comes to improving energy efficiency because of lack of access to mains gas, or because they were built without cavity walls.

"However, we know that increased energy efficiency will stem the tide of rising bills and ensure that even the poorest pensioners can keep their house warm for the whole year. That is why the Labour/Plaid Alliance in Cardiff must also get more resources from their friends in Westminster for energy efficiency schemes in Wales."