A senior Wirral Councillor is calling for action to support low-income pensioners affected by yesterday’s scrapping of the Winter Fuel Payment, while Age UK has called for the cuts to be halted.
Following the new Government’s decision to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for the majority of pensioners, analysis shows that almost 60,000 people in Wirral will be at least £250 worse off this Winter. Many are in some of the most deprived parts of the Borough.
- In Seacombe Ward, 1,473 pensioners who do not qualify for Pension Credit will have their payments cut while.
- In Upton Ward, 2,628 pensioners will lose out.
- In Liscard and Egremont, 2,313 pensioners are affected.
Councillor Jeff Green, Leader of Wirral’s Conservative Councillors, said: “Many of the 58,800 pensioners who have lost their Winter Fuel Payment will have incomes just above the threshold for Pension Credit.
“For more than 20 years, both Labour and Conservatives have committed to maintain Winter Fuel Payments, along with NHS prescriptions and bus travel.
“The scrapping of Winter Fuel Payments comes at a time when many prices, and Council tax, are still rising. Many of those pensioners who are just about managing will be hit hardest by this decision.”
Councillor Green has now written to the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, councillors Paul Stuart and Jean Robinson, proposing urgent action with charities and community organisations in Wirral to identify ways to suppose those most affected.
“There are many organisations across Wirral, working with some of our older residents. It’s really important that the Council does everything possible to work with them, looking for ways to make sure that those pensioners who need help are not left behind.”
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."
