Carmichael: ‘Wind chill must play a part in cold weather payments’

MP for the Northern Isles, Alistair Carmichael, has said the UK Government’s criteria for cold weather payments needs to take wind chill into account.

The payments are made to those who receive certain benefits, for example, pension credit and income support, and are given when the temperature in their area is recorded or forecast to be zero degrees Celsius or below for seven days in a row.

Those that qualify are given £25 for each week of cold weather, with the goal of the scheme being to help folk heat their homes.

However, Mr Carmichael challenged the government to look again at its criteria for the payments and include wind chill as a valid factor.

Speaking in the House of Commons, yesterday, Monday, Mr Carmichael said: “Thanks to the Beast from the East a lot more people now understand that how cold you feel can have more to do with wind chill than it does with ambient temperature. Why doesn’t the government take into account wind chill when triggering cold weather payments?”

The parliamentary under-secretary of state for family support, housing and child maintenance, Kit Malthouse MP replied to the question: “As the Rt. Hon. Gentleman knows, the triggering for cold weather payments is done on the basis of absolute temperature, and that that absolute temperature should fall below zero for an appointed time.

“I have to confess, as somebody who is married to a Canadian, I know only too well the effects of wind chill and the significant difference it does make. If he will allow me, I will take that issue away and have a look at it.”

Mr Carmichael said after the exchange: “I have regularly raised this issue with the Department of Work and Pensions, so the commitment from the minister to look into this issue is a welcome step forward.

“In the Northern Isles in particular, although the temperature is often not low enough to engage the cold weather payments, it feels colder than it actually is because of wind chill.

“The minister’s response is more positive than many I have seen over the years. It remains to be seen whether this will lead to change. I will be happy to work closely with him and his officials to make the case for change.”