AN MP is demanding better cold weather payments for pensioners to take into account the chilly winds of North Yorkshire.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Phil Willis says preventable deaths from cold-related illnesses are a "uniquely British scourge."

And he believes the wind chill factor should be included in calculations for cold weather payments.

The Liberal Democrat MP, who is backing an Early Day Commons Motion highlighting the case for including the wind chill factor in the scheme, said: "There were times last year when the wind chill factor would have brought payments to a significant number of pensioners. If wind chill had been included over the last three years, an average additional expenditure of just eight million pounds would have been incurred."

Cold weather payments are triggered when temperatures, measured at one of 72 points across the country, fall below zero for seven consecutive days.

The Department of Social Security said the current system was believed to be the most appropriate. A spokeswoman said: "Any proposal to introduce a wind chill factor would increase the complexity of the scheme. It would not necessarily ensure that the payments went to those with the greatest need for additional heating."

Sally Hutchinson, chief officer with Age Concern York, said: "Older people often live in older and draftier houses and the wind chill factor plays a vital part in the measures they need to keep themselves warm both inside and outside."

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