A senior Cheshire West and Chester Councillor is calling for action to support low-income pensioners affected by the Labour Government’s scrapping of the Winter Fuel Payment, while Age UK has called for the cuts to be halted.
Following the new Labour Government’s decision to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for the majority of pensioners, analysis shows that over 66,000 people in Cheshire West and Chester will be at least £250 worse off this Winter.
Many are in some of the most deprived parts of the Borough – the numbers of pensioners affected are staggering. Examples include:
• Chester - Blacon Ward: 1884 or 81% of pensioners.
• Ellesmere Port - Westminster Ward: 384 or 74% of pensioners.
• Northwich – Winnington and Castle Ward: 1027 or 90% of pensioners.
• Winsford – Winsford Over & Verdin Ward: 2035 or 85% of pensioners.
Councillor Lynn Gibbon, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council Conservative Group, said:
“Many of the 66,600 pensioners set to lose their Winter Fuel Payment may have incomes just above the threshold for Pension Credit and these payments were a lifeline.
“Local Conservatives are deeply concerned about the impact on our pensioners, especially those just about managing and facing financial challenges to make ends meet, when prices and Council Tax are still rising.
“I’d like to know what action the Labour leadership of Cheshire West and Chester Council will be taking after declaring a ‘poverty emergency’ in October 2022. Was this just gesture politics or will they be true to their rhetoric at the time and oppose this action by their Government? Will they, as a minimum, work with partners across the borough to identify any additional support to address the most anxious and affected pensioners in our communities, ensuring they are not left behind?
“For more than 20 years, both Labour and Conservative governments have committed to maintaining Winter Fuel Payments, along with free NHS prescriptions and bus travel. This new approach is a bitter blow.”
Commenting after the announcement by the Chancellor, AGE UK tweeted:
"We strongly oppose the means-testing of Winter Fuel Payment because our initial estimate is that as many as two million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it. With winter now just over the horizon, the Government should halt their proposed change to Winter Fuel Payment and think again, given the clear evidence of how it will hurt the older people who need it the most."
Finance expert Martin Lewis added:
"The Energy Price Cap is likely to rise 10% this October and stay high across the winter, leaving most energy bills nearly double those pre-crisis, at levels unaffordable for millions. Many pensioners eke out the £100 to £300 Winter Fuel Payments to allow them to keep some heating on through the cold months."
