Wealden Council Calls For Government Rethink On Winter Fuel Payment

Friday, 22 November 2024 06:00

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

Wealden councillors have called on the government to reconsider its decision surrounding the Winter Fuel Payment.

A motion was passed at this week’s Full Council meeting at Wealden District Council which saw councillors agree to ask the government to consider making changes to the new regulation surrounding the Winter Fuel Payment.

The new regulation means that households in England and Wales will no longer be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment unless they receive Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits – as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The motion was originally proposed by Independent councillor Andrew Wilson and seconded by Conservative councillor Ann Newton.

An amendment by the Alliance for Wealden – proposed by deputy leader Councillor James Partridge, Liberal Democrat, and seconded by Green Party councillor Greg Collins – was voted through and following that, a further amendment by Independent councillor Ben Reed was also approved.

The amended motion asked the leader of Wealden council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging a review of the proposed level of means-test for the Winter Fuel Payment.

The motion also notes the effort the council has already given to vulnerable pensioners through the Council Tax Reduction scheme, which has helped 3,019 pensioners.

A letter will also be sent to members of Parliament – Nusrat Ghani for Sussex Weald, Mims Davies for East Grinstead and Uckfield, Dr Kieren Mullan for Bexhill and Battle and James MacCleary for Lewes.

This urges them to ask the government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty as well as to press the government to reverse the decision as it may impact a considerable amount of pensioners in Wealden.

As part of the motion, council leader Councillor Rachel Millward will sign the Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners petition run by Age UK.

Councillor Andrew Wilson said:

“Pensioners in Wealden could lose their winter fuel allowance, pushing many into financial hardship and disproportionately impacting the health and well-being of our poorest older residents, many of whom are on fixed incomes.

"While some pensioners may not rely on this support, thousands just above the Pension Credit threshold will now lose this essential lifeline.”

Councillor James Partridge said:

“As a council we should do whatever is within our power to help, by increasing the efforts we are already making to identify, enable and support the most vulnerable and poorest state pensioners.”