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UK `cold snap` will force poorest families into debt

11/01/2010

According to charity Save the Children, the current cold snap `will push` the poorest families in the UK into debt as they are forced to borrow money to pay for essentials such as heating bills.

A survey carried out by YouGov and Save the Children found that 27% of the UK`s poorest families (those with an annual income of less than £12,000) said they will have to take on debt in order to pay bills such as gas and electricity. More than half (60%) admitted they would have to cut back on heating, or limit it to just a few hours per day, in order to `get by` this winter.

Meanwhile, a further 22% said they would have to take on debt to buy warm winter clothing, such as jumpers, coats and shoes.

The Government currently provides families on low incomes (with children under five or disabled children) with a £25-per-week `Cold Winter Payment` - but only when the temperature falls below 0 degrees centigrade for one full week.

The charity stated that because of such restrictions, many families facing `winter debt` will not receive any help - and therefore it would like `to see a winter fuel payment of £200 per annum guaranteed to all low-income families living with disabled children or children under five`.

Fergus Drake, Save the Children`s UK Director, said: "Everyone`s going to be dreading receiving their heating bill after this cold snap, but none more so than families who are already struggling to afford to get by this winter.

"We want to see the winter fuel allowance extended to the UK`s most vulnerable families so they can afford to keep warm this winter and every winter, without having to get into debt."

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