Stop the Winter Fuel Payment cuts say Oldham Liberal Democrats

Oldham Liberal Democrat councillors will force a vote at a council meeting this week (Weds 06/11) calling on the Labour Government to scrap planned cuts to Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners.

Saddleworth South representative councillor Helen Bishop, who will move the motion, said, “The Labour Government are taking Winter Fuel Payments off 10 million pensioners nationwide and 85% of pensioners here in Oldham.  This cut is too deep and too soon.  People have not been given time to plan for winter without this support.”

According to Department of Work and Pensions data obtained by the Liberal Democrats, an estimated 7,800 pensioners over the age of 80 who do not receive pension credit are set to lose their Winter Fuel Payment this winter.  85% of recipients in Oldham will lose out overall. 

Councillor Alicia Marland of Saddleworth West and Lees, who will support the motion, said, “Take up of Pension Credit has been worryingly low, more than one in three eligible pensioners are not signed up.  The council must do more to get pensioners in Oldham signed up to the pension credit that they are entitled to.  That should have been done well before any cuts to winter fuel allowance.  Now we must scramble to avoid a painful winter for many pensioners.”

Liberal Democrat motion in full: Stop the Winter Fuel Payment cuts

Proposed by: Councillor Helen Bishop
Seconded by: Councillor Alicia Marland

This Council notes that:

The recent announcement by the Labour Government to end universal Winter Fuel Payments has restricted eligibility to only those in receipt of Pension Credit, excluding too many vulnerable pensioners. Many pensioners on lower and middle incomes will no longer receive the payments.

Across England and Wales the number of people eligible for Winter Fuel Payments will fall by 10 million (from 11.4 million to only 1.5 million). According to data obtained by the Liberal Democrats from the Department of Work and Pensions, 85% of pensioners in Oldham Borough will lose out. There are an estimated 7,800 pensioners in Oldham over the age of 80 set to lose their winter fuel payment who do not receive pension credit.

This Council believes that:

The criteria for Winter Fuel Payments that the Labour Government is using will exclude too many pensioners who need help. Only those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples) are eligible for Pension Credit. This is significantly lower than the living wage rate.

Take up of Pension Credit has been worryingly low, more than one in three eligible pensioners are not signed up. We have a role to play to increase awareness of welfare support such as Pension Credit to ensure people get the help that they need.

This Council further notes that:

The Energy Price Cap has risen by 10% in October, which combined with the removal of Winter Fuel Payments will push thousands of local pensioners into fuel poverty.

This Council resolves to:

1. Instruct the Council’s Communications Team to urgently commence a significant awareness campaign to maximise uptake of Pension Credit. This should include a dedicated advice line, promotion in the local press as well as targeted letters to those who may be eligible.

2. Instruct the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the policy on linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipt to be immediately paused and introduce a new threshold to determine eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments.

Council further requests the Leader of the Council write to Oldham’s three MPs asking them to give their formal support to halting these changes to the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility.