Don't get caught cold as temperatures tumble

The UK has recently shivered through some of the coldest days and nights we've seen in years.

- Martyn James

Whenever the temperature drops, cold weather complaints can arise. Here's my guide on what to watch out for.

KEEPING YOUR HOME WARM

Energy bills are a major concern for readers at the moment. The backlog of claims about the Winter Fuel Payment has meant many pensioners are struggling to get by.

If you don't qualify for benefits but are struggling with the bills, your energy firm is required to come up with tailored plans to help you. Type 'financial difficulties / Ofgem' into a search engine to get a full list of the help available.

If you receive certain benefits, then you may qualify for:

■Automatic cold weather payments (in England and Wales): This is £25 per day for every seven-day period of cold weather between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.