Move to raise cold weather payments set to be ditched

PLANS to increase cold weather payments for pensioners look set to be scrapped by the coalition government as ministers attempt to find savings for next week's comprehensive spending review.

The previous Labour government had put in motion plans to increase the weekly payment to pensioners in cold months from 8.50 to 25.

But yesterday the new Tory/ Lib Dem government put down a statutory instrument to cancel the increase.

This came despite David Cameron saying during Prime Minister's questions that he would stick by an election promise not to touch the universal payments for pensioners, including the winter fuel allowance and free bus passes.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said last night: "We are committed to helping vulnerable people."