Liberal Democrats today published figures showing that the Winter Fuel Payment now pays for only a quarter of a pensioner's fuel bills. The Payment has been frozen at £200 for five years, while fuel bills and energy companies' profits have soared. This has resulted in the value of the payments halving. Shadow minister Danny Alexander MP says:

"As fuel bills rise, thousands of older people won't be able to afford to heat their homes this winter. While the cost of heating homes has rocketed and the value of the basic state pension has plummeted, the Government has frozen the Winter Fuel Payment at £200 for five years. The Liberal Democrats would restore the earnings link to pensions to ensure older people would be better off."