Action has been demanded from government after the startling figures released today showed that more than 60 per cent of older people in Northern Ireland are living in fuel poverty.

Research carried out by the charity Age NI reveals that 61.5 per cent of older people are living in fuel poverty – an increase of almost 15 per cent since 2006.

But the situation is even bleaker for older people living on their own where the already high number unable to heat their homes has rocketed from 62 per cent to more than 83 per cent.

It currently costs at least £400 for 900 litres of home heating oil, but these prices are expected to increase as we enter winter.

Pensioners receive a one-off winter fuel allowance of £250 which rises to £400 for the over 80s, but according to social development minister Alex Attwood, speaking in August, it costs around £700 to heat a two bedroom bungalow for a year.

Age NI – which encompasses Age Concern and Help the Aged – has described the situation as having reached "crisis levels".

Chief Executive Anne O'Reilly has called for urgent action from government to bring pensioners in from the cold.

"It is shameful that in 2010 the number of older people struggling to keep warm is not only increasing, but doing so at a frightening rate," she said.

"In 2008, Age NI warned our political leaders that older people were in the impossible position of having to choose between eating and heating their homes.

"In two years, nothing has changed for the better."

Ms O'Reilly called on political leaders to help freezing pensioners.

"Age NI is making an urgent plea to Northern Ireland's political leaders to escalate the Fuel Poverty Strategy to executive level so that immediate steps can be taken to fnd solutions," she said.

"While we are relieved that the Winter Fuel and Cold Weather Payments for older people have been protected within the UK spending review this year, this sticking plaster approach is leading us into a 'groundhog day' situation where those most at risk in Northern Ireland continue
to suffer and die every year.

"The number of excess winter deaths has doubled since the launch of the Fuel Poverty Strategy in 2004.

"A long term solution is urgently required to address the needs of older people today, and in the future.

"Ministers must act with the knowledge that an investment to save now will ensure long term solutions."

Someone is classed as being in fuel poverty if they spend more than 10 per cent of their income on fuel.

A spokesman for Social Development Minister Alex Attwood yesterday agreed that fuel poverty must be addressed