Stay warm and healthy over winter

Keep Warm Keep Well, a national government campaign targeting the reduction of cold-related illnesses and deaths during winter, offers tips and advice on keeping you warm and well this winter.

The campaign offers a variety of practical help and tips such as how to keep your house effectively insulated so as to reduce heat loss and how to stay healthy and fit during cold spells.

You can also find information on financial assistance, such as grants and benefits, that are available to you to help make your home warmer or simply to assist you in meeting the financial demands of your heating bills.

Keep Warm Keep Well produces informative leaflets that are available for those who want further information on how to stay warm and well through the cold winter months. Look out for them in your local supermarket, GP’s surgery, local pharmacy or Council offices. You can also view all the information online at http://campaigns.direct.gov.uk/keepwarmkeepwell.

For advice and information on the grants that are available call or visit:

• Warm Front Scheme on 0800 316 2805 or visit www.warmfront.co.uk
• Cold Weather Payment by visiting www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
• Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699 or visit www.homeheathelpline.org.uk
• Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512012 or visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
• National Energy Action by visiting www.nea.org.uk

Bus pass means testing? We say no

Free bus passes for over-60s have made travel easier for many older people in the UK, and helped them to stay independent. But now the Local Government Association (LGA) has published a report suggesting that free bus passes should no longer be free to all, but subject to means-testing. Independent Age disagreees, and has issued the following statement:

“Our research tells us that the free bus pass has been of great benefit to the vast proportion of our beneficiaries across the UK. Making public transport easy and accessible is vital to addressing and preventing social isolation often felt by older people, and we must be careful not to underestimate its importance. Receiving the bus pass is seen by many as one of the few perks of getting older and introducing an element of means testing to this could instead be inhibiting to some.

At Independent Age we are already aware that means testing and the stigma attached to this can deter older people from claiming their entitlements. We strongly hope that this will not become the case with the bus pass, particularly as its use is so publicly visible.”

What do you think? Do you use a free bus pass, and should the service continue for all? Leave a comment below and have your say.

'Real Help Now for Over 60s' booklet launch

When times are tough it is important that people know where to turn to get all of the help and advice they need. That is why the Government has launched a new booklet today for pensioners and those over 60, pulling together all the help that is available to them. The 40-page booklet, 'Real Help Now for Over 60s' provides information on the range of Government schemes available to help them through these difficult economic times and where to access them. You can read the booklet here or order a copy from http://www.realhelpnow.gov.uk/.