Christmas comes late for 3,107 elderly people in Northampton (Andrew Simpson)

Christmas comes late for 3,107 elderly people in Northampton

February 27, 2009 11:00 PM

Money Christmas bonus payments for 3,107 elderly people in Northampton to help with winter fuel bills will not be paid until nearly Easter, warns a leading local Liberal Democrat.

According to research carried out by Liberal Democrats in Parliament, nearly one in ten older people will be getting their Christmas bonus at a time when their grandchildren are getting their Easter eggs.

Andrew Simpson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North constituency, has called for the payments to be sped up to and make sure older residents of the area get their bonus as soon as possible.

"This late payment is appalling," said Andrew "At a time of sky high heating and fuel bills, paying the bonus three months late is just not good enough.

"I am urging the Government to ensure that payments are made promptly next Christmas. Making the elderly wait until it's nearly Easter is just not acceptable."

Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said, "The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, stood up in the House of Commons in November and promised pensioners a Christmas bonus on their winter fuel payments, but clearly this was nothing of the sort.

"It is outrageous that this money will not be reaching pensioners until nearly Easter."

Parliamentary questions by Liberal Democrat MPs revealed that 8.69 percent of bonus payments - nearly one in ten - will not be made until March.

Notes to Editors

Source: DWP Information Directorate, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, May 2008 showing number of elderly people in Northampton North and Northampton South constituencies (old boundaries) and multiply by 8.69%

Parliamentary Constituency of pensioner for 2005 General Election

Number in Pension Age Client group (individuals)

Northampton North 16,850

Northampton South 18,910

For answer to Parliamentary Question see: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090223/text/90223w0022.htm#09022327002566