Weather money move welcomed
"COLD Weather payments are a vital benefit helping the most vulnerable in society," MLA Dolores Kelly has said.
She welcomed an increase in weather stations which, she said, will allow areas previously represented by a single weather station to be sub-divided which will result in a fairer, more representative scheme.
There will be more weather stations measuring the drop in temperature that determines how many people are entitled to a Cold Weather Payment.
A payment is made when the average temperature has been recorded as 0'C or below over seven consecutive days, at the weather station linked to the eligible claimant's postcode.