Hull City Council leader signs petition calling for reversal of Government's 'betrayal' of pensioners

Mike Ross is backing a petition to calling for the winter fuel allowance to remain
-Credit: (Image: Katie Pugh)


The leader of Hull City Council has signed an Age UK petition to save the winter fuel payment for struggling pensioners.

It has been confirmed to the LDRS that Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, is one of over half a million people to sign the petition calling upon the new Labour Government to halt their decision to scrap the annual payment given to pensioners.

Following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' decision to stop the winter fuel payment being universally given out to all over 65, from this winter, the payment will now be means tested, only being given to those on Pension Credit.

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However, many suggest there are pensioners who don't qualify for Pension Credit but who still would need the payment to be able to keep warm this winter. Age UK estimate as many as 2.5 million pensioners who already struggle to pay their bills, being either below or close to the poverty line, will be seriously hit by this cut.

"To take away this support is a crushing blow for some of the most vulnerable in society and it cannot be allowed to go ahead. If it does, more vulnerable people will have to choose between heating and eating,” Cllr Mike Ross has said.

The Liberal Democrat councillor added: “This Labour Government looks set to betray local pensioners across Hull. They must change course and give these residents the support they need this winter.

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The Government maintains that support will be available to pensioners who are struggling to pay their bills.

The petition is currently around 95,000 signatures away from its target of 650,000.