SO New Labour has done it yet again - tens of thousands of British pensioners have not and will not receive their winter fuel payment.

At the end of last year, the Government accepted a European Court ruling which allowed men aged 60 and over to receive a £100 one-off payment to help with winter fuel bills. Because the Government has taken so long to put the system in operation, it now means that the payments will not be made until next winter.

What consolation is this to the people who need the help now? Some of them may not even be around next winter.

This delay is a disgrace.

L M JACKSON (Mrs), Haslingden Road, Blackburn.

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