'Not inappropriate' to means test 'wealthy pensioners in big houses' says council boss

The leader of Liverpool Council has said it is “not inappropriate” for “wealthy pensioners in big houses” to be means-tested for the controversial winter fuel allowance. Cllr Liam Robinson said while the UK economy is “severely damaged” the new Labour government should not shy away from assessing residents in “places like St Albans or Surbiton or Tewkesbury or Cheltenham” who may not need the support.

Sir Keir Starmer’s administration has come in for considerable criticism for its decision to move ahead with changes to the scheme, with many warning older people could die as a result. Of the 16 MPs to cover the Liverpool City Region, only one - Ian Byrne - voted in favour of doing away with the cut that could lead to millions of pensioners losing the payment and only those claiming pension credit or other means-tested benefits continue to receive help with their energy bills this winter.

Number 10 held firm against pressure to soften the impact of the cut in the run-up to the Commons vote, saying there were no plans to widen eligibility for the payment. Discussing the change at a meeting of all members of Liverpool Council, Cllr Robinson said: “The new government has inherited a country that is frankly in a mess.

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“We all know public services have been cut to the bone. We’ve got an economy that’s severely damaged.

“We all know there are families right across this city and this country that are really, really struggling. Cllr Robinson said this was as a result of “deliberate choices” the last Conservative government had made.

He added: “I’m not going to patronise anyone and say now we’ve got a Labour government it’s all perfect, I know that it’s not.

“Let’s be very honest about this, when there are difficult decisions to be made, it’s not inappropriate for that to be means tested. Why should wealthy pensioners in big houses in places like St Albans or Surbiton or Tewkesbury or Cheltenham and lots of those other places get that payment when it’s not required?

“That isn’t the greatest problem. What we do want to make sure though is the government review the actual criteria so that those who do need it don’t miss out.”

Cllr Steve Munby, who has worked in welfare rights, was unequivocal about his position. He said: “Personally, I wouldn’t die in a ditch to defend universality and the winter fuel allowance but clearly I think the level at which it's been set in terms of eligibility is wrong.

“The idea there are millions of people entitled to pension credit is frankly nonsense.” However, Cllr Munby scoffed at the idea that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor would take notice of what councillors had to say on the issue.

Cllr Carl Cashman, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, said the changes to the policy were “a cruel cut that takes aim at the most vulnerable in our society.” He added: “The winter fuel allowance cut is morally wrong and I think we would all agree on that.

“Pushing this through now means that someone only as little as £219 a week would not get their winter fuel payment, which is devastating. “That is absolutely devastating for some people in this city who will have to choose between heating and eating this winter.”

Cllr Alan Gibbons, leader of the Liverpool Community Independents group, said the Chancellor must suspend the policy, while further concerns were raised by former deputy Mayor Jane Corbett.

She said: “What I’m really concerned about is the impact this change will have on the pensioners who fall outside the eligibility for credit. I’m also concerned about the fact the government did carry out a full impact assessment on this change of policy.

“You cannot see the full effects of a change of policy and any mitigations without one.” Current deputy leader of the council, Cllr Ruth Bennett, said: “It’s right that this council requests that the government looks again to review the criteria to target the poorest pensioners.”