IT’S heartening to see that within a few hours of the launch of our Dying From The Cold campaign it has been discussed and praised in the House of Commons.

After Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans raised the plight of older people, Harriet Harman, leader of the house and deputy leader of the Labour Party, backed calls for a debate on the issues facing them.

We want to get those in power to talk about, and work to resolve, problems which pensioners face because of the recession, high energy prices and access to healthcare – to name just a few matters that seriously concern them.

The problems are so deep-rooted that there is no single, quick-fix solution.

Persuading people to keep a watchful eye on neighbours who are elderly is another way in which we can all help.

But at the heart of the problem is the fact that so many of our hard-pressed over-65s are having to make financial either/ or decisions between, for example eating and heating.

And those are choices no-one in Britain 2009 should have to make.

The Commons words are not the same as action – but they are a good first step in the right direction.