Alliance Lagan Valley MLA Trevor Lunn MLA has stated his support for the redistribution of winter fuel payments to those who are struggling to pay their fuel bills.

In 2009, Trevor launched an initiative where he encouraged those who did not need their winter fuel payment to have it donated to charity. His comments follow an announcement by Ed Balls MP that Labour would look to stop wealthy people from receiving the payment. It is currently not means tested.

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Mr Lunn MLA said: "I believe that we should be looking to reallocate the winter fuel payments from those who don't need it, to those elderly citizens who are struggling to pay their fuel bills.

"We have seen many elderly members of the public struggle with rising energy costs and this winter fuel payment has provided some relief but there a lot of people who do not need it.

"I welcome the highlighting of this issue by the Labour Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, but I hope he will look to ensure that any saved money is redistributed to those who have faced the choice of having to eat or heat."

(CD/IT)