Call to donate winter fuel money

Pensioners who do not need their winter fuel allowance should give it to those less well-off, an Alliance MLA has said.

Trevor Lunn said a fund could be run by an older people's charity.

Under the allowance over 60s are entitled to £250, while over 80s can claim £400 to help pay heating bills.

"There are many people out there who are entitled to the payment but don't even bother to collect it because they don't need it," said Mr Lunn.

"This cash is simply going back into the Treasury's coffers.

Anne O'Reilly of Age Concern said there was a wider problem of benefits being unclaimed.

She said the government was better placed to redistribute money to older people in need.

"There is up to £160m in terms of unclaimed benefits. What we think could be better, is that if there was an automatic use of that money."