Paul calls to end parts of Sheffield being 'frozen out'

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 6th Oct 2008

Cllr Paul Scriven, the Lib Dem Parlimentry spokesperson from Sheffield Central has written to the Prime Minister calling for an end to parts of Sheffield being 'frozen out' under the Governments cold weather payments system. The Government uses weather stations as far away as Nottingham to measure if Sheffield people are cold enough to receive a £25 cold weather payment.

Cold weather payments of £25 are triggered when the average temperature falls below 0 degrees for seven consecutive days. However, the Government uses three separate weather stations in Nottingham, Bingley and Linton-on-Ouse to measure temperatures for different parts of Sheffield.

This has led to some parts of Sheffield receiving a cold weather payment whilst others have received nothing, despite the fact that in recent years parts of Sheffield have had snow on the ground for over a fortnight.

Cllr Paul Scriven has asked for the Government to adopt a fairer system by using the weather station at Weston Park to measure temperatures for all households in Sheffield.

Paul said: - "At a time when everyone is feeling the pinch and we are seeing energy bills spiral out of control, ensuring that families receive all the support possible is vital. Therefore I have written to Gordon Brown to try and put an end to this illogical system used to calculate cold weather payments for Sheffield."

"It cannot be fair that some parts of Sheffield have received payments whereas low income families who live in the wrong post code are frozen out. Rather than using the current Russian roulette approach the Government should change the system. We have a perfectly good weather station in Weston Park which could provide a more accurate temperature reading for the whole of Sheffield."

"I have asked that the Government adopt this so that we can put an end to the current unfair system and ensure local people receive the help with their energy bills that they are entitled to."