B Gas Boss says "wear two jumpers"

Plushchris

alared wrote: »

It`s certainly flawed alright when they pay it to people living in Spain and other warm countries!

Thats exactly why the winter fuel allowance should go to the energy companies or come in the form of vouchers. What good is a voucher to someone living in spain?

I've heard of people using it to pay for their winter holiday, then moan about how cold it is when they get back and complain about fuel prices.

Cardew

I certainly agree that the winter fuel allowance, which IMO is generous, is treated by many as normal income and ignored as a means of actually paying for heating costs.

IIRC the flawed method of distribution, mentioned above, was discussed in Parliment.

The conclusion was that whilst the concerns above are valid, the administration costs to 'target' the allowance would be massive.

A voucher system would be open to abuse and the voucher simply sold and used by those under 60. There is no way that a Utility company can check the ages of those in a house without masses more administration.