The strength of feeling against the government’s decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Allowance for all but the poorest pensioners has been demonstrated in Kirklees, with members of four local political groups calling for a U-turn.
The Winter Fuel Allowance was previously given to anyone claiming the state pension, but in July, the Labour government announced that around 10m pensioners would no longer be eligible. The unpopular move came 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.
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 falling from 11.4 million to 1.5 million. Around 63,000, or 88 percent of Kirklees pensioners who used to be eligible for Winter Fuel Payments will be affected by the cuts.
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Four separate motions have been put forward against the decision by the Lib Dems, Conservatives and two groups of independents. Each calls for a slightly different resolution but each united in their opposition to the government’s controversial decision.
Among the actions being proposed are that the Leader of the Council or Chief Executive write to the government. Members are also wanting to see a greater push towards raising awareness of Pension Credit.
Group Leader of Kirklees Conservatives, Cllr David Hall, said: “Rarely has an issue been met with such universal condemnation as this one by the government. This is an action the government does not need to take.
“Scrapping the £300 Winter Fuel Allowance will save the government £1.5bn which they are putting towards inflated wage demands of £10bn from the public sector unions. This says everything about this government’s perverse priorities.”
Speaking on the Lib Dem motion, Cllr Alison Munro, said: “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.
“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.”
A motion from some members of the Community Alliance, Community Independents and other independents, comments: “Energy companies more than trebled their profits during the pandemic, and the 50 richest families in Britain own a combined £500 billion in wealth – equivalent to half of the UK population’s combined wealth.
“A wealth tax on the richest 1 percent would raise billions, yet the government has chosen to target pensioners instead of seeking fairer solutions.”
The motions are set to be debated at the full council meeting on Wednesday meeting.
(Image: A Munro)
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