This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2yvknljmeo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'I go to bed because I can't afford the heating' 'I go to bed because I can't afford the heating'
(1 day later)
Jean Hull goes to bed early in the evening to keep warm due to the cold weatherJean Hull goes to bed early in the evening to keep warm due to the cold weather
A woman has told how she has to go to bed in the evening to keep warm because she can only afford to heat her home for two hours a day.A woman has told how she has to go to bed in the evening to keep warm because she can only afford to heat her home for two hours a day.
Jean Hull, 73, from Grangetown in Sunderland, said rooms in her home were often only 10C (50F) - an ideal room should be between 18-21C.Jean Hull, 73, from Grangetown in Sunderland, said rooms in her home were often only 10C (50F) - an ideal room should be between 18-21C.
She said she felt that changing the rules on the payment of the winter fuel allowance was "wrong" and that promises to pensioners had been "broken." She said she felt that changing the rules on the payment of the winter fuel allowance was "wrong" and that promises to pensioners had been "broken".
The government said it was supporting older people and one million pensioners were still receiving the payment this winter.The government said it was supporting older people and one million pensioners were still receiving the payment this winter.
Bosses at warm hubs across the city said they had seen a rise in older people relying on their services since changes were made to the allowance.Bosses at warm hubs across the city said they had seen a rise in older people relying on their services since changes were made to the allowance.
Mrs Hull, who lost her husband John on Christmas Eve five years ago, said her fuel bill was £100 per month.Mrs Hull, who lost her husband John on Christmas Eve five years ago, said her fuel bill was £100 per month.
"I have to go to bed just to keep warm, there's nothing else you can do," she said."I have to go to bed just to keep warm, there's nothing else you can do," she said.
"But you just have to get on, that's all you can do.""But you just have to get on, that's all you can do."
She also said she wears multiple layers of clothing to keep out the chill.She also said she wears multiple layers of clothing to keep out the chill.
Health experts recommend that during cold weather spells, the homes of those over 65 should be least 18C (65F).Health experts recommend that during cold weather spells, the homes of those over 65 should be least 18C (65F).
Mrs Hull said her rooms are often only 10C (50F) because she struggles to pay the fuel billMrs Hull said her rooms are often only 10C (50F) because she struggles to pay the fuel bill
Mrs Hull believes it is unfair that the government scrapped the winter fuel allowance for about 10 million people.Mrs Hull believes it is unfair that the government scrapped the winter fuel allowance for about 10 million people.
"It's wrong, it's really wrong they promise you one thing and do you receive it, no," she said."It's wrong, it's really wrong they promise you one thing and do you receive it, no," she said.
The government said it was "committed to supporting pensioners" and it was "driving the uptake of Pension Credit."The government said it was "committed to supporting pensioners" and it was "driving the uptake of Pension Credit."
She regularly attends warm hubs run by the Pallion Action Group.She regularly attends warm hubs run by the Pallion Action Group.
"It is a lifeline, you get the support and the help you need," she said."It is a lifeline, you get the support and the help you need," she said.
"You can trust them. If I ever need to call them, they're straight on the phone offering me advice.""You can trust them. If I ever need to call them, they're straight on the phone offering me advice."
Karen Noble of the Pallion Action Group said demand for warm hubs had increasedKaren Noble of the Pallion Action Group said demand for warm hubs had increased
Charity centre manager, Karen Noble said there had been an increase in the number of "vulnerable, people struggling" coming for advice and support.Charity centre manager, Karen Noble said there had been an increase in the number of "vulnerable, people struggling" coming for advice and support.
She said: "We knew winter was coming and people were going to struggle, so we got things like draught excluders and are ready with practical advice."She said: "We knew winter was coming and people were going to struggle, so we got things like draught excluders and are ready with practical advice."
Follow BBC Sunderland on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC Sunderland on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.