Cold weather payments triggered in Shropshire as freeze forecast to last for at least a week
An MP has welcomed cold weather payments to vulnerable residents as the current freeze is forecast to last at least a week.
Cold Weather Payments of £25 are paid to recipients of selected benefits when the average temperature is recorded of forecast to be 0C or below for seven consecutive days.
South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne said: “The cold weather forecast for the next few days has triggered Cold Weather Payments of £25 for those eligible on selected benefits, helping to cover the additional cost of heating.
"Cold Weather Payments are made automatically to those eligible, so there is no need to apply.”
Postcodes affected in Mr Dunne's constituency from November 28 to December 4 are SY5, SY6, TF11, TF12, TF13, TF7 and TF8.
Cold weather payments may be made to recipients of Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest.
The Met Office says that with the UK sitting in cold air from Scandinavia, the weather is turning much colder for the rest of this week and the start of next - with daytime temperatures struggling to get above single figures and overnight temperatures staying below freezing for much of the country.
They say the cold regime looks likely to continue into next week, with a good deal of dry sunny weather for many. However, showers remain possible, particularly in eastern coastal areas, and these could be wintry at times.
