'Winter Fuel Payment cuts will force Kirklees pensioners to choose between heating and eating'

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Kirklees’ Liberal Democrat group says the borough’s elderly residents could be forced to choose between heating and eating this winter as they urge the government to re-think its plans to cut Winter Fuel Payments.

The Winter Fuel Allowance was previously given to anyone claiming the state pension, but in July the Labour government announced that around 10 million pensioners would no longer be eligible. The unpopular move comes as part of the bid to plug a £22bn black hole in public finances, which Chancellor Rachel Reeves said had been inherited from the Tories.

The Liberal Democrat Party tabled a motion in parliament against the cuts on September 2, with the Kirklees group calling for the backing of local MPs. However, amid widespread backlash, the government confirmed that a binding vote will be held on Tuesday, September 10, where MPs will vote on whether to axe the Winter Fuel Allowance for all but the poorest pensioners.

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Under the government's proposed move, only those receiving certain benefits will be entitled to the payment of up to £300, with the number of people eligible across England and Wales set to fall from 11.4 million to 1.5 million. Sixty-three thousand, or 88 percent of Kirklees pensioners who are currently eligible for Winter Fuel Payments will be affected by these cuts, the group has said.

Kirklees’ Lib Dems believe that the government has set the threshold at which pensioners do not qualify for Winter Fuel Payments far too low, as only individuals receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples) are eligible for pension credits, which is significantly lower than the living wage.

Cllr Alison Munro
Cllr Alison Munro -Credit:A Munro

Councillor Alison Munro (Almondbury, Lib Dems), said: “We are calling on the government to re-think the cut, so that local vulnerable pensioners get the support they need. At the same time, average annual energy bills are due to rise by 10 percent this October, so the Winter Fuel Payment policy needs to be suspended and reviewed as a matter of urgency.

“We know that many of our pensioners in Kirklees are really worried about losing this vital support and how they will afford their energy bills this winter. Some of them have contacted us to express their concern.

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“Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners in Kirklees just when energy bills are set to rise again is simply wrong. It could force vulnerable elderly people in our communities to choose between heating and eating this winter.

“That’s why we’re backing the Liberal Democrat motion in Parliament. We need to do everything we can to block these plans, which could cause immense financial hardship in our area.”

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