Freezing temperatures mean some Harborough residents will qualify for a special £25 payment

Thousands of people across the Market Harborough area are set to get a much-needed Government cash boost triggered by the recent freezing blast.

The Cold Weather Payment Scheme kicks in to help people in areas of the country where the thermometer falls to zero or below for at least seven days on the spin.

People in Market Harborough, Kibworth, Desborough and surrounding villages will qualify for the first time this winter as temperatures plunged from Sunday February 7 to Saturday February 13 across the East Midlands.

If you are receiving benefits such as universal credit, pension credit or other forms of income support you should be automatically paid the special £25 payment.

The Department for Work and Pensions website says: “After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days.

“It’s paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.”

Payments are based on data collected by the Met Office from 94 weather stations around Britain.

You can find out more on the DWP website here: https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment