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Whilst the bookies might be offering long odds on a white Christmas, the Met Office is predicting a cold snap starting after Christmas Day with things looking decidedly frosty by the weekend.
With temperatures set to plummet by as much as 5 degrees over the break, the Government wants to make sure that no one feels the cold indoors. Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society Rosie Winterton said: "As temperatures drop over the next week, I am concerned that many vulnerable people, especially the elderly, might not know that extra help is on the way. "There are three ways we are helping this winter - with bigger Winter Fuel payments of £250 or £400, the extra £60 Christmas bonus payment in the New Year and increased Cold Weather Payments of £25." Gordon Lishman, Director General, Age Concern, said: "Many older people are worried about making ends meet this winter, but finding out they can get more money in their pockets can really make a difference. "Tripling the Cold Weather Payment has made it a useful amount that will give an extra boost when the weather is cold. The one-off payment of £60 in the New Year is also very welcome." The government is committed to spending an extra £4bn on pensioners next year. This means the biggest increase in the State Pension since 2001, up by 5%, and the biggest increase in Pension Credit since it was introduced. With Pension Credit no pensioner need live on less than £130 a week from April 2009, compared to just £69 a week in 1997. All householders are also eligible for help under the Government's £1 billion Home Energy Saving Programme, including free or discounted home insulation, discounts on energy saving products, free low-energy light bulbs and other energy efficiency improvements. Vulnerable or elderly householders may also qualify for central heating and insulation improvements under the Warm Front scheme.
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