Call to protect 62,592 pensioners in our area from the biting Winter Fuel cuts.

62,592 pensioners across West Northamptonshire will lose out on the Winter Fuel Payments worth up to £300 which have been axed by the new Labour Government.

From this year onwards, to be eligible for the winter help, residents must have been born on or before 22nd September 1958 AND receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, explained Cllr Jonathan Harris, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats at West Northants Council.

He added:” A big problem is that only about six in 10 people eligible for Pension Credits actually take them up”.

“We’re asking West Northamptonshire Council to work with other councils and actively promote the Pension Credits. Let’s get everyone who is entitled to this support claiming it and they should then be able to get the Winter Fuel Payment.”

“And with the next winter fuel price cap rise announced as 10%, it will be an especially worrying time for people who had been counting on the now axed winter fuel payment to help them out again this year,” said Cllr Dennis Meredith who represents the Talavera Ward on West Northamptonshire council.

In the West Northamptonshire Council area, 62,592 residents will not be getting the winter fuel payment this year following Labour’s surprise announcement.

“We are worried that more older people in West Northamptonshire will be faced with the horrid and stark choice of heating or eating once more this winter,” said Cllr Meredith.
“There will be many people likely to be just above the threshold for Pension Credit who will also undoubtedly struggle this winter. The Pension Credit is paid to those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples).

“It’s difficult to believe that Labour would not have been aware of the real and biting impact such a drastic cut in the Winter Fuel Payments will have when they announced that nine in 10 pensioners would be frozen out. I am hopeful that all councils in East Midlands will do what they can to help people claim the Pension credit and lobby the Government to raise the threshold so that more pensioners can be helped to heat their homes this winter,” added Lib Dem Cllr Carl Squires, who represents the East Hunsbury and Shelfleys Ward.