Northern Ireland pensioners have had enough of the inactivity of the Stormont Executive over the plight they face this winter. The Grey Power protesters raised issues such as rising costs, to the media on the steps of Stormont. The campaigners were also greeted at Parliament Buildings by a cross-party group of Executive ministers and assembly members.

Organisers of the 'Can't Heat or Eat' campaign, said the Executive should be doing more to help older people and demands an increase in the winter fuel payment and automatic payments of pension credit for three months.


Editorial

Like many age concerned charities we are concerned that the lack of action by our Executive to help the elderly, vulnerable and those on benefits is unacceptable and that these vulnerable families and individuals will find this winter unbearable, yet until now the Stormont Executive have left them out in the cold.

The situation in Northern Ireland is especially dire as the measures that were introduced by Gordon Brown to help the elderly and vulnerable do not apply here. In fact, if one contacts the Northern Ireland Housing Executive regarding a grant for repairs, renovation or insulation, they will discover a six month waiting list before they can even have an initial meeting. Inquiries with the NIHE revealed that the money simply isn't there and that winter will be over by the time anyone can access even the initial stages of getting help.

If anyone in Northern Ireland dies this winter because of neglect by our Executive, the people should hold them responsible. If the elderly don't eat because they need to heat, they will fall weak and ill and if they chose to eat rather than heat, they will fall ill and their homes will become damp, neither is acceptable.

The Northern Ireland Executive have a decision to make, do they want to govern this country or not, if they do, then they must make provision for those in need this winter without delay.

Last Updated 18th November 2008