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Winter fuel payment: East Herts Council’s Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Greens unite to oppose Labour’s cuts




Labour was left out in the cold when Conservative, Green and Liberal Democrat members of East Herts Council voted to oppose the Government’s changes to the Winter Fuel Payment for the elderly.

The motion at the last meeting of the full district council was tabled by the Tories. They called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to reconsider the decision to restrict the payments - worth up to £300 - to those on Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits.

Cllr Aubrey Holt (Con, The Mundens), who proposed the motion, said: “This decision by the Labour Government will hurt millions of pensioners across the country, and 27,486 in East Hertfordshire alone could lose out on the Winter Fuel Payment this year.

Stock image
Stock image

“We believe it’s vital to stand up for our elderly residents, and we were pleased to see Green and Liberal Democrat councillors putting aside party politics and supporting our motion.

“It’s disappointing that Labour councillors in East Herts could not do the same, opting instead to support the poor choice made by their party in Westminster.”

Cllr Angus Parsad-Wyatt (Con, Sawbridgeworth), who seconded the motion, added: “I was shocked to hear one of the Labour councillors mutter that this was ‘about rich pensioners’. This rushed, short-sighted and, frankly, cruel move by the Labour Government could leave pensioners on as little as £13,000 a year without vital support this winter. I would hardly call them rich.

Cllr Angus Parsad-Wyatt
Cllr Angus Parsad-Wyatt

“It is deeply disappointing that Labour councillors in East Herts couldn’t look past party politics to support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

The Green Party highlighted Age UK’s estimate that two million pensioners who rely on the annual payment to stay warm during winter may be ineligible under new criteria.

Cllr Alex Daar (Green, Hertford Bengeo), EHC’s executive member for communities, said: “We recognise the new Labour-led Government’s need to deal with the debts inherited from the previous Conservative Government, but the burden of paying for cuts must fall on the broadest shoulders, not the most vulnerable residents in our community.

“We urge the Government to make up the shortfall in funding through a windfall tax on energy companies in the immediate term while other longer-term options are explored.

“Older people locally are already suffering from years of austerity from the previous Conservative government.”

Her party also called for funding to be increased for home insulation schemes.

Cllr George Williams (Green, Ware Priory) said: “If your car leaks oil, you don’t simply replace the oil, you take your car to a garage to have the fault fixed.

Cllr George Williams
Cllr George Williams

“However, rather than ensuring we all have heated, insulated homes, we give vulnerable residents a winter fuel allowance, which is effectively passed on to the utility companies.

“I am completely against means-testing the winter fuel allowance and I think it is crucial that we call upon the Government to support pensioners by increasing funding for free home insulation schemes in order to make winter fuel payments go further.”

On behalf of the Lib Dems, group leader Cllr Mione Goldspink, who is also the district council’s deputy leader, and Cllr Miriam Swainston, who is also leader of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council, issued a statement.

“Liberal Democrats have been shocked and astonished by the Labour Government’s precipitous decision to restrict the payment of the winter fuel allowance to only those pensioners who are in receipt of Pension Credit. Many pensioners whose incomes are above the threshold, but still very modest, are likely to suffer cold and hardship in the approaching winter.

“The Greens and Liberal Democrats made several amendments to the original Conservative motion. The Tories were happy with all of the amendments except the one which mentioned Government debts, which had been ‘inherited from the previous Conservative-led administration’.

“As Liberal Democrats, we were particularly and very strongly in favour of the amendment, which called for a better and fairer way to be found for assessing the needs of pensioners.

“The current estimate for processing Pension Credit eligibility is on average about two months, and even if they were processed in time there would still be too many pensioners having to choose between heating or eating. However, benefits should be reserved for those who need them.”

The Labour group leader, Bishop’s Stortford’s Cllr David Jacobs, responded: “The Conservatives had 14 years to improve conditions for pensioners. But instead they crashed the economy, pushing inflation through the roof and cutting the value of people’s savings. The Labour Government is now faced with a £22bn black hole and has had to make difficult choices about how to keep public finances under control.

“The winter fuel allowance has played an important role in helping pensioners manage the rising cost of heating during the coldest months of the year. It has ensured that those most at risk are able to stay warm and healthy when temperatures drop.

“The changes being made to the winter fuel allowance are about ensuring that this assistance is targeted to those who need it most in a way that is both equitable and sustainable.

“The current system was introduced by Labour in 1997, and while it has helped millions it no longer meets the needs of society.

“The changes the Government has made aim to ensure fairness. The winter fuel allowance was originally provided to everyone of pension age, regardless of their financial situation.

“While that might have made sense then, today it means that well-off pensioners receive the same support as those who are struggling to make ends meet. Is it fair that a pensioner with a second home receives the same assistance as someone living in fuel poverty?

"By refining the eligibility criteria, the Government will be able to target support more effectively. Wealthier pensioners, who are less reliant on Government help, will see reductions in their entitlement, freeing up resources that can be redirected to those who need them most, such as low-income households, those living in older or poorly insulated homes and those with health conditions that require them to keep their homes warmer.

“At the same time, this Government also is delivering its manifesto promise to protect the triple lock. As a result, the full state pension will be worth around £1,700 more than it is today by the time of the next election.

“The Government is also working hard to ensure eligible pensioners apply for Pension Credit – under the Tories, up to 880,000 pensioners were not claiming the Pension Credit to which they were entitled and which could be worth up to an extra £3,900 a year. As readers of the Indie will know, our Labour MP Josh Dean has been holding surgeries targeted at encouraging take-up of this payment.

“The motion the Conservatives submitted to East Herts Council will have no impact on pensioners’ finances. Labour is focused on helping those in need, not cynical grandstanding.”

The council’s leader, Cllr Ben Crystall (Green, Hertford Bengeo), will now write to the Chancellor to urge a full review of the eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment.

The motion also calls for increased funding for home insulation schemes and for MPs, including Hertford and Stortford’s Josh Dean, to lobby the Government to reverse the decision.

The district council will launch an outreach campaign to raise awareness of Pension Credit and other benefits for those most at risk of fuel poverty.



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