This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8449727.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 16 Version 17
Cold fuel payment increase urged Cold fuel payment increase urged
(10 minutes later)
Cold weather fuel payments to pensioners must be increased as the extreme winter weather continues, Age Concern and Help the Aged have urged.Cold weather fuel payments to pensioners must be increased as the extreme winter weather continues, Age Concern and Help the Aged have urged.
Pensioners get annual fuel allowance plus cold weather payments if the temperature plunges below normal for more than seven consecutive days.Pensioners get annual fuel allowance plus cold weather payments if the temperature plunges below normal for more than seven consecutive days.
The call comes as Britain braces itself for icy blasts as the freezing weather looks set to continue over the weekend.The call comes as Britain braces itself for icy blasts as the freezing weather looks set to continue over the weekend.
The weather is causing major disruption to the weekend's sporting programme.The weather is causing major disruption to the weekend's sporting programme.
Five Premier League games have been called off - at Sunderland, Fulham, Hull, Burnley and Liverpool - as well as dozens of other league games.Five Premier League games have been called off - at Sunderland, Fulham, Hull, Burnley and Liverpool - as well as dozens of other league games.
Horse racing meetings across the country have also been cancelled, with a series of rugby union matches postponed.Horse racing meetings across the country have also been cancelled, with a series of rugby union matches postponed.
As Britain's coldest spell for 30 years continues, the charities fear the existing government support will not be enough to prevent a soaring death rate among older people.As Britain's coldest spell for 30 years continues, the charities fear the existing government support will not be enough to prevent a soaring death rate among older people.
FROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Sport ravaged by weatherFROZEN BRITAIN See an enlarged version Special report: Frozen Britain Sport ravaged by weather
Last winter, 36,700 more people died than would have been expected, nearly 50% more than the previous year's figures.Last winter, 36,700 more people died than would have been expected, nearly 50% more than the previous year's figures.
Andrew Harrop, head of policy at Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: "Many older people will be worried about paying even higher energy bills to heat their homes.Andrew Harrop, head of policy at Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: "Many older people will be worried about paying even higher energy bills to heat their homes.
"Cold weather and winter fuel payments have provided welcome extra cash to help lower income households pay their heating costs."Cold weather and winter fuel payments have provided welcome extra cash to help lower income households pay their heating costs.
"But these one-off payments haven't kept pace with the steep increase to energy bills over the last few years and are only a sticking plaster to the entrenched problem of fuel poverty.""But these one-off payments haven't kept pace with the steep increase to energy bills over the last few years and are only a sticking plaster to the entrenched problem of fuel poverty."
Currently, the over 60s get £250 in one-off winter fuel payments, while the over 80s get £400. Pensioners also get a cold weather payment if the temperature plunges below normal for more than seven consecutive days.Currently, the over 60s get £250 in one-off winter fuel payments, while the over 80s get £400. Pensioners also get a cold weather payment if the temperature plunges below normal for more than seven consecutive days.
Energy minister David Kidney said: "We specially increased the cold weather payment last year from £8.50 a week to £25 a week which is a substantial increase.Energy minister David Kidney said: "We specially increased the cold weather payment last year from £8.50 a week to £25 a week which is a substantial increase.
"We kept it at that high level this year precisely for this kind of situation and it will be paid every week that the weather is particularly cold to all the people who are entitled to it.""We kept it at that high level this year precisely for this kind of situation and it will be paid every week that the weather is particularly cold to all the people who are entitled to it."
Meanwhile, the government has stepped in to conserve road-gritting stocks due to dwindling salt supplies.Meanwhile, the government has stepped in to conserve road-gritting stocks due to dwindling salt supplies.
The Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis, said local authorities had agreed to cut salt use by 25%.The Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis, said local authorities had agreed to cut salt use by 25%.
The Conservatives have said that the government's move is "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier.The Conservatives have said that the government's move is "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier.
As temperatures remained at sub-zero levels, at least 24 people are believed to have died since before Christmas in weather-related incidents.As temperatures remained at sub-zero levels, at least 24 people are believed to have died since before Christmas in weather-related incidents.
The latest are two brothers who died in hospital in Leicester after falling through the ice at Watermead Country Park.The latest are two brothers who died in hospital in Leicester after falling through the ice at Watermead Country Park.
WEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local websiteCheck if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult driving conditions, see the Highways Agency websiteFor information about severe weather warnings, see the Met Office websiteFor information about staying healthy in the current cold snap, see the NHS Winter Health websiteWEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local websiteCheck if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult driving conditions, see the Highways Agency websiteFor information about severe weather warnings, see the Met Office websiteFor information about staying healthy in the current cold snap, see the NHS Winter Health website
Forecasters say it will feel colder overnight because of an "increased wind chill" coming from Germany and Poland.Forecasters say it will feel colder overnight because of an "increased wind chill" coming from Germany and Poland.
Up to 20cm (7.8in) of snow is forecast for parts of South Yorkshire and to the south of London - from Essex to Brighton.Up to 20cm (7.8in) of snow is forecast for parts of South Yorkshire and to the south of London - from Essex to Brighton.
Forecasters have warned that the freezing conditions could last at least another week.Forecasters have warned that the freezing conditions could last at least another week.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke to several ministers and agencies about the severe weather during a ministerial meeting at the Cabinet Office and said the government was doing it all it could.Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke to several ministers and agencies about the severe weather during a ministerial meeting at the Cabinet Office and said the government was doing it all it could.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said there was no need to worry about energy supplies and that the situation was being closely monitored.Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said there was no need to worry about energy supplies and that the situation was being closely monitored.
BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said snowfall of up to 3cm (1.2in) was expected elsewhere in England late Saturday and on Sunday but Scotland and Wales were not likely to see record-breaking temperatures overnight.BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said snowfall of up to 3cm (1.2in) was expected elsewhere in England late Saturday and on Sunday but Scotland and Wales were not likely to see record-breaking temperatures overnight.
He said: "The wind is picking up and there will be an increased wind chill. For humans that is the big factor that will make it seem colder."He said: "The wind is picking up and there will be an increased wind chill. For humans that is the big factor that will make it seem colder."
Friday saw the UK's coldest day so far when the mercury plunged to -22.3C (-8.1F) in the Highland village of Altnaharra.Friday saw the UK's coldest day so far when the mercury plunged to -22.3C (-8.1F) in the Highland village of Altnaharra.
The government has insisted schools should stay open "wherever reasonably practicable" during severe weather although more than 8,000 schools remained closed on Friday.The government has insisted schools should stay open "wherever reasonably practicable" during severe weather although more than 8,000 schools remained closed on Friday.
However there are fears that thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland may have to wait another five months to take exam modules because of the problems caused by the weather.However there are fears that thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland may have to wait another five months to take exam modules because of the problems caused by the weather.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has warned the cold weather threatens to be the greatest wildlife disaster of the new millennium.The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has warned the cold weather threatens to be the greatest wildlife disaster of the new millennium.
It says that the freeze could be the single biggest killer of birds since the Arctic snap of the early 1960s and has asked the public to help feed them.It says that the freeze could be the single biggest killer of birds since the Arctic snap of the early 1960s and has asked the public to help feed them.
Updates can be found at BBC Travel NewsUpdates can be found at BBC Travel News
FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHERFORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER
The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9The enhanced content on this page requires Javascript and Flash Player 9

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy
Temperature tab onlyTemperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
How is the winter freeze affecting you? Is the weather spoiling your sporting plans this weekend? Are you due to watch or play in a local league game?How is the winter freeze affecting you? Is the weather spoiling your sporting plans this weekend? Are you due to watch or play in a local league game?
Send us a picture or a video showing how cold the temperature is where you live.Send us a picture or a video showing how cold the temperature is where you live.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions