Exeter Lib Dem motion on Winter Fuel Payments voted down by Labour Councillors

A Liberal Democrat-led motion supported by Green and Conservative Party councillors calling for a pause in the implementation of the new Winter Fuel Payments scheme and for the government to have a rethink was voted down by Labour councillors at a meeting of Exeter City Council last night.

Lib Dem Cllr Michael Mitchell proposed the motion calling for the pause and a rethink. Over 18,000 pensioners in Exeter will lose the Winter Fuel payment. This change was not in the Labour Party election manifesto. It hits pensioners without advance notice at the same time as energy prices will increase by 10% this Winter.

The same motion had been passed last month at a Devon County Council meeting and was supported by every councillor including Labour County Councillors bar one – the leader of the Labour Group.

“It was very disappointing the Labour Group on Exeter City Council voted down this motion en-bloc. It was especially concerning that two City Councillors who are also County Councillors voted for the motion at County Hall and against it last night. This was tribal politics at its worst.” stated Cllr Michael Mitchell.

A Labour amendment asking for a future review of Pension Credit but making no reference to Winter Fuel Payments was passed backed only by Labour councillors.

Cllr Tammy Palmer, Lib Dem, who seconded the original motion, stated “Labour’s amendment to call for a future review will achieve absolutely nothing for the many older people who need immediate support with their winter fuel costs right now. It was incredibly disappointing they refused to support us in calling for their own government to pause this cruel and callous decision.”

Lib Dem Cllr Adrian Fullam added "Labour's counter-proposal to move the goalposts of Pension Credit would cause an avalanche of bureaucracy and still leave many on the wrong side of the line for vital support, particularly those who saved up for modest pensions. They are just trying to deflect from the problem they have caused."