LABOUR’S Westfield candidates claim the Winter Fuel Allowance is being cut by the Government (Letters, March 31).

This is somewhat misleading, as we have come to expect. The allowance is continuing at the same level as previously: £300 for households with someone over 85 and £200 for households with someone over 60.

In 2008, the Government announced one-off bonus payments of £50 for households with someone over 60 and £100 for households with someone over 85.

In a move which I am sure was entirely unaffected by thoughts of an upcoming election, Labour extended these bonuses to 2009 and 2010. They planned for the payments to expire in 2011 and that is what has happened.

Winter fuel allowance is inefficient and poorly thought-out. For one thing, who can justify British pensioners living in Spain receiving the allowance?

On the other hand, cold weather payments are much more targeted.

The Coalition has increased the rate of cold weather payments to £25 per seven-day cold period (from £8.50). Pensioners will also see their pensions increase by £4.50 from April 14.

The Coalition is helping those who need it most, rather than maxing out the country’s credit.

Mark Waudby, Liberal Democrat candidate, Westfield ward.