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Dozens of pensioners in Tower Hamlets, who last week protested that the water, heat and electricity bills in their sheltered housing scheme had risen too high, have been told that they will no longer face such a steep increase.

Bethnal Green and Bow MP George Galloway, who has been campaigning on behalf of the residents, said, "I am extremely happy for the residents.

"These residents, who are elderly, vulnerable and on very limited fixed incomes, should never have been made to suffer as they have been over the last three weeks."

ÌýBut this will now be reduced by an expected £7 per household.

Why the turnaround?

A large part of the utility rise was because the housing association had received some of its invoices too late, which meant that a proportion of last year’s energy costs had to be paid the following year in arrears.

The BGVPHA was planning to pass half of this cost onto residents at Hugh Platt House, Mandela House, William Guy Gardens and Rochester Court in Tower Hamlets.

But the BGVPHA has now said that it will not pass on this rise after all. Utility charges will now only "reflect recent increases in fuel costs and water rates, which the Association does not have any control over," it said.

"The Association hopes to complete the recalculation of utility charges and inform tenants of the outcome as soon as possible," it added.

angela.saini@bbc.co.uk