Winter Fuel Debate
Liberal Democrats took the fight to the Labour group last night at the Council meeting which also saw two Labour Cllrs vote with the Lib Dems and Torys.
Cllr Noreen New who moved the motion on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group said “The Labour Government did not have to do this cut it chose to do so. It attacks those individuals who need help and suppport for heating. The form to fill in is enough to frighten people from appplying for pension credit”
View the live stream
https://www.rugby.gov.uk/web/guest/l/7291144
Notices of Motion pursuant to Standing Order 11.
(a) “Council notes the recent announcement by the Labour Government to end
universal winter fuel payments and restrict eligibility to only those in receipt of
Pension Credits and other benefits.
Although some suggest that Universal Winter Fuel Payments are not necessary,
Council is deeply concerned that many pensioners on lower and middle incomes
will now not 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).
In Rugby, the number of pensioners affected by the change in eligibility criteria
is 17,859. That means 91.8% of pensioners currently eligible for winter fuel
payments will no longer be able to claim the payment from this winter onwards.
Council believes that the Labour Government has set the threshold at which
pensioners do not qualify for Winter Fuel Payments far too low. Only those
receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples)
are eligible for pension credits. This is significantly lower than the living wage
rate. Many pensioners with small private pensions taking them just above the
threshold for pension credits will also suffer.
Council is also concerned by the low take up of pension credit with only 63% of
those eligible nationwide receiving them – and over 880,000 pensioners not
doing so. Council recognises the role we have to play to increase awareness of
benefits such as Pension Credit to ensure people are aware of the support they
are entitled to.
Council further notes that the Energy Price Cap is due to rise by 10% in October,
which combined by the removal of Winter Fuel Payments will push thousands of
local pensioners into fuel poverty.
Council resolves to:
(1) request that the Chief Executive write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
asking her to make greater support available through local authorities to
assist residents at risk of hardship this winter and 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 Chief Executive writes to Rugby’s
MP asking them to give their formal support to halting the changes to the
Winter Fuel Payment eligibility this year;
(2) request all Group Leaders within Rugby Borough Council to sign a joint letter
to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the new Winter Fuel Payment
policy to be suspended and reviewed.
(3) urgently commence a significant awareness campaign to maximise uptake of
pension credits. This will include use of Council noticeboards, social media,
promotion in local press and also targeted letters to those who may be
eligible for Pension Credit, and to support them with applications where
necessary; and
(4) continue the previous administration's partnership work with other public and
voluntary sector organisations to support our most vulnerable residents.