Shelter: Government fuel poverty plans

Shelter chief executive Adam Sampson said: "The Government's fuel package goes a long way towards making homes more energy efficient and helping many vulnerable households with their future fuel bills.

"However, there are many people who do not qualify for cold weather payments, including low income couples and families with children over the age of five, while for everyone, these payments are only triggered if temperatures drop below zero for 7 consecutive days.

"The reality is that many vulnerable households will still be unable to afford to heat their homes this winter, while energy companies continue to see their profits rise."