Many vulnerable people throughout the UK could receive assistance to get cheap gas thanks to additional funding announced by the government.
The Department of Health has unveiled the allocation of £20 million to local authority schemes intended to help residents cope with the cold weather.
"Every vulnerable person needs help in winter, whether it's help with shopping, heating the home or making hot meals," stated health secretary Andrew Lansley.
Initiatives set to benefit from the scheme include a plan to provide help with fitting insulation in Cumbria, while Blackburn council will distribute cold weather packs including low-energy heaters and hot water bottles.
The plans were welcomed by charity director at Age UK Michelle Mitchell, who said winter temperatures and fuel poverty can cause misery and health issues for many older people and the assistance will help alleviate some of these problems.
Elsewhere, a range of celebrities including Bruce Forsyth and Helen Mirren have offered their support to the Surviving Winter campaign, which encourages people to donate their Winter Fuel Payments to those more in need.
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