A Cauld Blast for East Kilbride

Strathaven based MSP Linda Fabiani, has asked the UK Government to consider reviewing the mechanisms that trigger Cold Weather Payments.

Currently, weather temperatures in East Kilbride, which sits 600 feet above sea level, are monitored at the weather station in Bishopton, which is 200 above sea level and 20 miles away.

Ms Fabiani would like to see weather temperatures measured across a broader geographical area that would recognise the extremes of weather suffered in locations such as East Kilbride.

Ms Fabiani said:

“It has been raised with me by constituents that the criteria that triggers Cold Weather Payments, are not favourable to residents of high lying areas like East Kilbride, even though the likelihood of severe weather is greater here than in areas even as close as Glasgow.

“The reason for this is the location of the weather station from which measurements are taken, which is in Bishopton, 20 miles away and not subject to severe weather conditions as regularly as East Kilbride is. It would be of far more benefit to people if the temperatures where taken in East Kilbride where weather is at its worst and fuel bills are in the region of 20 percent higher than average.

“If East Kilbride was located in the Highland region, for example, then a payment to pensioners and those on benefits would already have been made this year; and the weather in East Kilbride can at times be as severe as you will find anywhere in the country.

“The Cold Weather Payment is essentially missing many communities that are located on high ground due to the network of weather stations being sited at geographical locations that are very different from those that suffer the worst weather. These weather stations probably serve their purpose very well in general circumstances but in terms of

measuring conditions in the worst affected areas they are obviously inadequate.

“I have written to the UK Government Minister with responsibility for Cold Weather Payments, and asked that at the next review of this policy that these aspects are considered for reappraisal and, that recognition is given to the geographical diversity of weather conditions, in the hope that the worst affected communities may get the most support.”

Cold Weather Payments are triggered after temperatures of 0 degrees or less for a period of seven consecutive days.