News / Carmichael makes fresh call for wind chill to be factored into cold weather payments
NORTHERN Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has reaffirmed calls for wind chill to be factored into the government’s cold weather payments.
The Liberal Democrat received a commitment from a government minister that the issue would be looked into after the topic was raised at the House of Commons.
Cold weather payments of £25 a week are given out to people on benefits to help pay for heating, but they are only trigged when the temperature is forecast to be, or is recorded as being, zero degrees or below for seven consecutive days.
Carmichael said it is unfair that wind chill is not factored into this as areas like Shetland will often not consistently drop below zero, yet they will feel cold in the wind.
Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) manager Karen Eunson said the organisation supports this view, with the Shetland Fuel Poverty Action Group often raising it in consultations.
Shetlanders have only been eligible for cold weather payments once this winter – during a period between 25 February to 3 March – while regions in Edinburgh and Glasgow have been triggered twice.
Over half of Shetland households are in fuel poverty, meaning they have to spend over 10 per cent of its income on heating.
At parliament, Carmichael asked: “Thanks to the Beast from the East a lot more people now understand that how cold you feel can have more to do with wind chill than it does with ambient temperature.
“Why doesn’t the government take into account wind chill when triggering cold weather payments?”
The parliamentary under-secretary of state for family support, housing and child maintenance Kit Malthouse noted that “as somebody who is married to a Canadian, I know only too well the effects of wind chill and the significant difference it does make”.
“If he will allow me, I will take that issue away and have a look at it,” the MP added.
Speaking afterwards, Carmichael said will be happy work alongside ministers in sorting a solution to the problem.
“I have regularly raised this issue with the Department of Work and Pensions, so the commitment from the minister to look into this issue is a welcome step forward,” he said.
“In the Northern Isles in particular, although the temperature is often not low enough to engage the cold weather payments, it feels colder than it actually is because of wind chill.
“The minister’s response is more positive than many I have seen over the years. It remains to be seen whether this will lead to change. I will be happy to work closely with him and his officials to make the case for change.”
Eunson, meanwhile, said locals can access advice on energy matters from the CAB branch at Market House in Lerwick.
“Fifty three per cent of households in Shetland are classed as being in fuel poverty,” she said.
“For many people, this means living in a cold home and having to make impossible choices between heating and eating. It is particularly hard on older folk, young families and people with health conditions.
“CAB’s energy advice service can help by providing tailored support to a household which is aimed at reducing bills and increasing income. We can also refer folk on to the council and Home Energy Scotland to access energy efficiency schemes.”
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