Hundreds of pensioners are expected to picket Stormont on Monday to protest over the spiralling cost of living in Northern Ireland.

The ‘Can’t Heat or Eat’ rally, organised by the Age Sector Platform, Help the Aged and Age Concern, is demanding the Government takes immediate action to help the elderly this winter.

“This gathering will act as a well-needed outlet for older people across Northern Ireland, who feel that Government should be doing more to help them. With pensioner inflation reaching 7.4% in the last few months — its highest since 1991 — it is no surprise that older people are struggling. This rally will mean that Government can no longer ignore its older population,” said Bill Carson, chair of Age Sector Platform which represents 200,000 older people across Northern Ireland.

Senior citizens will be calling for the winter fuel payment to be increased to £500 and for pension credit to be automatically paid for a period of three months. The protesters also want to see better promotion of benefits and social tariffs as well as the establishment of an emergency winter trust fund.

Calls will be made for the Government to restore the earnings link for the state pension immediately and not in 2012.

Seamus Lynch, public affairs officer at Help the Aged in Northern Ireland, said the demands came directly from older people.

“These calls for action have been conveyed clearly by older people across Northern Ireland, through our consultation with them. As a result, they have been added to a campaign postcard for older people to sign and return to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. This represents yet another channel for older people to campaign on this issue,” he said.

New statistics have revealed that nearly two-in-five (39%) people aged 50 and over said they are planning to cut back on heating their homes as a result of current financial circumstances, with one-in-three (33%) planning to cutting back on electricity.

Anne O'Reilly, chief executive of Age Concern NI, said: “This public rally is part of a much wider ‘Can't Heat or Eat' campaign, which will continue to run over the winter months. It is essential that Government acts now in order to prevent unnecessary hardship for older people in Northern Ireland.”

Anyone wishing to join the ‘Can't Heat or Eat' rally is asked to meet at Stormont Buildings on Monday, November 17 at 11am.