HEAT IS ON, PM! LET'S RAISE WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS

Threat of rising energy bills: Now is time to increase allowance, say campaigners. Struggling pensioners need winter fuel lifeline. TIME FOR BORIS TO UP PAYMENTS

- Sarah O'Grady

BORIS Johnson must take emergency action to protect the elderly from spiralling energy bills this winter, say angry campaigners.

They are demanding a rise in the annual Winter Fuel Payment – currently worth between £200 and £300 to pensioners.

It has been frozen since 2011 but if it had increased in line with inflation it would stand at £249.28 and £373.92. People already facing the pension triple lock cut are calling for the fuel payment to be index-linked to rising energy prices.

Your campaigning Daily Express is backing the call and urging the Government to raise this winter’s fuel allowance because of the extraordinary circumstances.

Last night Mr Johnson said: “We will do whatever we can to help people. You’ll also see increases in people’s incomes and that is also very important.”

The PM was suggesting inflationary income rises would bring some relief. But campaign group Silver Voices accuses the Government of allowing the Winter Fuel Payment to “wither away”.

They said older people were already struggling with the suspension of the triple lock guarantee on their pensions, the removal of the free TV licence for the over 75s and rising household costs.

Now, next month’s energy bills are expected to rise by £139 for 15 million households due to a gas shortage driving up wholesale prices. A second record high is predicted next spring, which could add between £178 and £294 to the typical price of a default dual-fuel energy deal.