AGE Concern in Blackburn has welcomed the Government's decision to give pensioners an extra £100 towards winter fuel bills.

But the charity is still calling for a national strategy to look into the way poverty affects the elderly.

In the House of Commons yesterday Social Security minister Alistair Darling announced around 741,000 pensioners will get an extra £100 in the run-up to Christmas. People living on their own will get the full amount and couples will share the sum.

The minister said: "Pensioners shouldn't be worried about turning their heating up when it is cold.

"It is important that pensioners have their money in their hands, particularly the eldest and most frail."

Vicky Shepherd of Age Concern Blackburn said: "We certainly welcome this extra contribution towards winter fuel costs and believe that it will ease the financial burden of winter felt by many older people.

"However, many older people are not only living on low incomes, but also live in the least energy efficient housing which means they spend a greater proportion on their income to keep warm. Age Concern believes that a national strategy to address all the issues relating to fuel poverty suffered by older people is urgently needed.

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