In case you missed the article, I thought I would use this week's column to update readers on how the Government is helping.

The Government announced at the end of last year that extra help would be made available for senior citizens.

You should have already had a £10 Christmas bonus in December, as you do every year, but this year you will also be getting an extra £60, which should have been paid as a one-off bonus into your pension by the end of this week.

Everybody is worried about the economy, and that is why it is important extra help is available.

Whilst the global financial crisis started in America, it's here in South Shields that we all need to pay our bills, and that's why I am determined to get you more cash in these tough times.

That's why I supported pensioners getting the extra £60 boost.

The Tories say we should do nothing to help people in South Shields and have opposed our measures, but the Labour Government is putting extra money in pensioners' pockets regardless.

By now you should also have received increased Winter Fuel Payments.

Households with someone aged between 60 and 79 will get £250; and £400 for households with someone 80 and over.

If you haven't received your Winter Fuel Payments, there is still time to sign up. Call 08459 15 15 15.

On top of this, Labour has increased the basic State pension.

From April, the pension will go up by five per cent, so if you are on a full pension it will go up to more than £95.

Pension Credit will increase by the highest amount ever, up from £124 to £130 per week.

In these tough times, it is important that the Government continues to do all it can to support you.

That's why I'm so pleased the Government has been able to provide this real help now.

We will not be complacent. We will keep looking at how we help people with their fuel bills, and working with energy companies to make sure you get the best deal possible.

If you want talk to me about this or any other matter, call my office on 456 8910, or e-mail me by clicking on this link.