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Freezing temperatures hit new low Freezing temperatures hit new low
(40 minutes later)
Temperatures plunged to -12C (10.4F) overnight, on the coldest night so far of Britain's big freeze.Temperatures plunged to -12C (10.4F) overnight, on the coldest night so far of Britain's big freeze.
The low mark was hit at Benson in Oxfordshire, and the UK's cold snap is forecast to last into the weekend. The low mark was hit at Benson, in Oxfordshire, and the UK's cold snap is forecast to last into the weekend.
The Met Office has issued warnings of icy roads in eastern Northern Ireland, the North West and Kent. The Met Office has issued warnings of icy roads in eastern Northern Ireland, north-west England and Kent.
The BBC Weather Centre said snow and freezing rain are set to spread from northern England and Northern Ireland to the Midlands and south-east England. The BBC Weather Centre said snow and freezing rain were set to spread from northern England and Northern Ireland to the Midlands and south-east England.
BBC forecaster Chris Fawkes said: "The thing we're most worried about this morning is icy roads in these areas."BBC forecaster Chris Fawkes said: "The thing we're most worried about this morning is icy roads in these areas."
During the day temperatures will rise to 2C (35.6F) to 3C (37.4F) across the UK, and there will be more cloud. During the day temperatures will rise to 2C (35.6F) to 3C (37.4F) across the UK and there will be more cloud.
Freezing conditionsFreezing conditions
On Tuesday, schools were forced to close in several areas, including 20 in Wales.On Tuesday, schools were forced to close in several areas, including 20 in Wales.
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Fountains frozen over in Trafalgar Square, LondonFountains frozen over in Trafalgar Square, London
The National Pensioner Convention warned that 12 pensioners could die every hour during the cold snap.The National Pensioner Convention warned that 12 pensioners could die every hour during the cold snap.
It called on the government to double the winter fuel allowance to £500 for every household and introduce a industry-wide tariff for older customers. It called on the government to double the winter fuel allowance to £500 for every household and introduce an industry-wide tariff for older customers.
The current freezing conditions have been caused by Arctic air sweeping across Scandinavia and over the North Sea.The current freezing conditions have been caused by Arctic air sweeping across Scandinavia and over the North Sea.
But temperatures are still a long way off the record low of -27C (-16.6F) in northern Scotland 14 years ago.But temperatures are still a long way off the record low of -27C (-16.6F) in northern Scotland 14 years ago.
Weather pay-outs
Meanwhile, millions of pensioners and vulnerable people around the UK have become eligible for cold weather payments.
The Department for Work and Pensions said cold weather payments had now been triggered at 52 weather stations around the UK since the start of this winter.
The payment, which goes to people in receipt of certain benefits - mainly pensioners, severely disabled people and families with a young or severely disabled child - rose this year from £8.50 to £25-a-week for each spell of cold weather.
It is paid automatically to those who qualify, including the estimated 2.7m households in receipt of pension credit.