News from Sheffield Labour

New Year cash boost for 18,000 people in Sheffield Central

Paul Blomfield, Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Sheffield Central, has welcomed a New Year cash boost of £60 for 18,000 people in Sheffield Central to help with the cost of heating. Following the coldest start to winter in thirty years, the Government has ordered that a special one-off payment of £60 be made to all pensioners, carers, disabled people and people receiving bereavement benefits. This extra payment will be made between January and March 2009.

Paul Blomfield explained:

“This £60 payment is a real New Year boost for everyone in Sheffield Central. With temperatures currently so low I’m pleased the Government is helping our most vulnerable by providing this extra cash to help with heating bills. This New Year bonus will be a real winter warmer for the 18,000 people in Sheffield Central who receive it and I hope it will mean no one need worry about putting on the heating this winter.

“This extra payment is another example of Labour providing real help to the most vulnerable, especially to pensioners. This year, as well as this £60 heating payment, all pensioners received an increased Winter Fuel payment. The State Pension and Pension Credit are increasing from April so that no pensioner need live on less than £130 a week.”

Paul added:

“In economic downturns in the 80s and 90s the Tories turned their back on people. Just like before, David Cameron’s Tories would do nothing and leave people to go it alone. This Labour government is providing real help to people during these tough times.”

Other news from Sheffield Labour

• Sport England provides £10m for 'Active Universities' - 12 March 2010
• Clive Betts MP hits the ground running for Sport Relief - 11 March 2010
• Angela Smith MP welcomes dangerous dogs announcement - 10 March 2010