Britons pay for compatriots' heating bills abroad: report

(LONDON) - British taxpayers sent 14 million pounds in the form of a government winter fuel payment to tens of thousands of their retired compatriots in other European countries last year, a newspaper said Tuesday.

The annual payment for British pensioners to help them in the cold months is handed to retirees resident here when they turn 60.

It continues to be paid to them even if they later leave for warmer EU destinations such as Spain, Portugal and Greece, said The Times.

Under European Union law, Britain cannot discriminate against its citizens who live elsewhere in the bloc.

The number of people receiving the fuel allowance in EU countries outside Britain hit a record 63,740 last year, said the paper, citing official figures.

Payments to British expatriates living in other European Union countries rose to 14 million pounds (16 million euros, 22 million dollars) in 2008-2009, said the paper. This compares to 9.5 million pounds the previous year.

The TaxPayers' Alliance, a group which campaigns for lower taxes, said the huge sums sent abroad should be cut as Britain fights to bring down huge debts.

"To get the deficit under control, cuts in unnecessary benefits are going to be essential," said chief executive Matthew Elliott.

"That pinch will be felt at home, but we should start with winter fuel payments to retirees in the Algarve."

British pensioners who were living here when they turned 60 qualify for the allowance of 250 pounds a year. It is 400 pounds for those over 80.