CAN'T HEAT OR EAT CAMPAIGN

That this House recognises the imminent crisis faced by older people suffering from poverty this winter; notes the particular impact of fuel and food price rises on older citizens; applauds the Can't Heat or Eat campaign being run by Help the Aged, Age Concern and the Age Sector Platform; is concerned at the low uptake of pension credit; calls for the automatic payment of pension credit to all pensioners for three months to provide support through this winter's challenges and to enhance future take-up; supports the campaign's call for an emergency trust fund to be set up to address fuel poverty and for an increase in the winter fuel payment to £500; further calls for the restoration of the earnings link for the state pension without delay; welcomes the call for promotion of advice on benefits and debt management; and further calls on the Government to work with devolved administrations and relevant agencies to deliver these measures.