Lib Dems: Invest £342,160 to double Warm Home Discount and prevent 1,222 pensioners in Woking going cold this winter

My Lib Dem colleagues and I have called on the Government to double the Warm Home Discount for existing recipients and make it available to 168 more pensioners* across Woking. The measure would prevent pensioners being forced to "choose between eating and heating this winter", say the Lib Dems.

The call comes amid fears that local residents, particularly 1,222 pensioners on low incomes, could be at risk from the energy crisis this winter.

The Warm Home Discount, funded by energy firms, is due to give people £140 off their electricity bill this winter. It is available to those who receive the 'Guarantee Credit' element of pension credit as well as some people on low incomes, with around two million receiving it each year across the UK.

The Lib Dems are calling on the Government to take on the cost of the Warm Home Discount and immediately double its value to £280, helping pensioners cope with soaring bills this winter.

Currently £147,560 is spent on the Warm Home Discount in Woking. Under Lib Dem plans this funding would rise to £342,160.

Commenting on the new scheme, Will Forster, Lib Dem Spokesperson for Woking, said:

"The Conservatives are pushing the most vulnerable pensioners and families into a cost of living crisis. We are seeing a double whammy of rising bills and the slashing of vital support."

"Residents in Woking should not have to choose between heating and eating this winter. We simply cannot allow those who are already struggling to bear the brunt of this Government's terrible mistakes."

The Lib Dems are calling for a £342,160 investment to help people cope with soaring bills this winter."

Lib Dem Leader, Ed Davey MP, added:

"If Boris Johnson has any interest in offering the most vulnerable in society a fair deal, he will listen to this Lib Dem proposal to double and extend the Warm Home Discount to the people who really need help."

*168 additional recipients refers to people on 'Savings Credit', but not Guarantee Credit - Pension Credit, who do not currently receive The Warm Homes Discount.