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.
Though many agree 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 Hinckley & Bosworth the number of pensioners affected by the change in eligibility criteria is 22,431. That means 92.5% 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 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.
Council is also concerned by the low take up of pension credit, with only 63% of those eligible nationwide receiving it – 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 with the removal of winter fuel payments will push thousands of local pensioners into fuel poverty.
Council resolves to:
1. Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling 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
2. Urgently commence a significant awareness campaign to maximise uptake of pension credits.
Minutes:
At this juncture, Councillors Cook, Cope, J Crooks, W Crooks, Flemming, Glenville, Green, Hodgkins, Hollick, Lynch, L Mullaney, Stead-Davis, Surtees, Sutton, Walker and Williams repeated their declaration of interest.
Notice had been given of the following motion proposed by Councillor M Mullaney, seconded by Councillor L Mullaney:
“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.
Though many agree 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 Hinckley & Bosworth the number of pensioners affected by the change in eligibility criteria is 22,431. That means 92.5% 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 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.
Council is also concerned by the low take up of pension credit, with only 63% of those eligible nationwide receiving it – 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 with the removal of winter fuel payments will push thousands of local pensioners into fuel poverty.
Council resolves to:
1. Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling 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
2. Urgently commence a significant awareness campaign to maximise uptake of pension credits.”
During discussion, members asked that residents be signposted to venues designated as warm spaces under the warm spaces project.
Councillor Bray and six further members stood to request voting on the motion be recorded. The vote was taken as follows:
Councillors C Allen, R Allen, Bools, Bray, Cartwright, Cook, Cope, J Crooks, W Crooks, Flemming, C Gibbens, S Gibbens, Glenville, Green, Harris, Hodgkins, Hollick, Lambert, Lynch, Moore, L Mullaney, M Mullaney, Pendlebury, Simmons, Smith, Stead-Davis, Surtees, Sutton, Walker, Weightman and Williams voted FOR the motion (31);
There were no votes against the motion and no abstentions.
The motion was therefore declared CARRIED and it was
RESOLVED –
(i) The Chief Executive be instructed to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the policy on linking winter fuel payments to pension credit receipt to be immediately paused and to introduce a new threshold to determine eligibility for winter fuel payments;
(ii) A significant awareness campaign to maximise uptake of pension credits be urgently commenced.