Pensioners hit by increased fuel bills

Pensioners living in sheltered housing flats in Rochdale have hit out at the Council after a 35% rise in their fuel bills.

The Lib Dem cabinet passed the increases, which could leave some elderly residents unable to heat their homes because of the costs.

Costs of using a communal boiler are now split evenly and some bills could rise to more than £800 a year.

The Council says that the rise is due to increases made by energy companies and they are not making anything from the move, which only applies to tenants in sheltered housing accommodation rather than across all council housing.