THE Warm Home Discount scheme — under which participating energy suppliers will grant a rebate of £120 off electricity bills to certain groups of older customers this winter — is certainly necessary and fine as far as it goes.

However, according to the BBC, five out of six major energy companies will limit the money they spend on this discount, giving it on a 'first come, first served' basis. After the fund has been exhausted even those who qualify will be turned down.

The Senior Council for Devon —the voluntary forum for the over-50s — believes that this is just the tip of the iceberg. What about those many older and poorer people who do not claim the benefits that they are entitled to — perhaps trying to live on their dwindling savings — and thus failing to qualify for the scheme?

There is also the absurd situation of the UK Government spending £15-million a year on winter fuel payments for older expatriates, many of them living in such warmer places as Spain and Cyprus. This is apparently to comply with EU law.

Surely that £15-million would be better targeted at helping some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in Britain? They face the prospect of a tough time, especially if this winter is as hard as the last one.

Gillian Newcombe

Chair

Senior Council for Devon

PO Box 210

Harberton, Totnes