£59 million handed out in cold weather payments already this year — with 118 sub-zero incidents so far

• The £25 allowance for vulnerable households has been triggered 118 times already in 2021, with 2,374,000 payments in the first six weeks on 2021, government data reveals today[1]

• This contrasts with zero payments in the same period in 2020[2], 1,084,000 in 2019[3], and 99,000 in 2018 — the year of The Beast From The East[4].

• Uswitch.com offers tips for households to protect themselves from plunging temperatures.

More than £59 million has been paid out in 2,374,000 Cold Weather Payments in the first weeks of 2021, with sub-zero conditions triggering the allowances 118 times already[1], according to analysis of official statistics by Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service. 

The £25 payments are made to eligible households when the temperature recorded at their local weather station is at or below 0oC for seven consecutive days. 

Conditions have been triggered seven times each in Tulloch Bridge, Loch Glascarnoch,  and Braemar — all in Scotland. Redesdale, Northumberland, has met the criteria six times, while places as far south as Bedford, and Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, have also been activated. 

In 2020, there were no cold weather payments made in the same period, while 1,084,000 were sent out in 2019. Even in 2018, the year of the Beast From The East, conditions were only triggered 21 times in the first six weeks of the year, with 99,000 payments made in that time.

Will Owen, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: “These figures show how many people are battling through freezing temperatures at a time when many household budgets are already stretched to the limit.

“Cold Weather Payments help many vulnerable people to keep the heating on when they might not be able to afford it, and they are more valuable than ever this year.

“There are plenty of ways you can act to keep warm when the mercury plunges, including bleeding your radiators regularly to prevent them getting cold spots, and keeping obstructions such as sofas away from them, as the objects will absorb the heat.

“Draught-proofing is another quick and cost effective way to warm up your home and you can even save around £20 per year on your utility bills. We recommend fitting door seals between the door itself and the frame, and for gaps between the bottom of the door and the floor, you can buy a special 'brush' or hinged flap draught excluder.” 

Tips for staying warm in winter

• Use a hot water bottle - a classic hot water bottle can make all the difference to your body temperature, especially if you’re working from home doing a sedentary job.

• Drink up - Pop the kettle on and keep yourself warm drinking hot drinks. Better still, warm liquids such as herbal tea count towards your daily water consumption.

• Enjoy a good hot meal - Hot food like soups, stews, and your winter favourites are not only a great way to sustain your energy, they will warm you from the inside.

• Wear slippers and cover your extremities to heat up your joints - a hat, scarf, and fingerless gloves will prevent your temperature dropping when you’re sat at a desk while ensuring you stay comfortable.

• Wear layers of clothing - opt for a thermal vest as a base layer and wear more on top so that, if you do get a bit warm, it’s easier to peel back the layers and cool down as and when you need to.