Helen Mirren Joins Campaign to Donate Winter Fuel Payments

Helen Mirren has become the latest in a long line of celebrities to join a campaign to encourage wealthy pensioners to donate their winter fuel payment to those who genuinely need it to survive the cold weather.

Fuel winter payments are not currently means tested and are given to all pensioners, including those who can afford to pay their heating bills without help. At the same time, approximately 5.4 million households are in fuel poverty, which means they are spending more than 10% of their household income on their heating and power bills.

 

The Surviving Winter appeal hopes that with the help of those pensioners who do not need their payment they can reduce the number of old people who die from the cold: estimated at 25,400 last winter. The fund will be used to support local charities and community organisations that help all those at risk, not just pensioners, survive the cold temperatures of winter.

 

The campaign is also supported by Bruce Forsyth and Rosemary Conley.