Exeter Lib Dems propose motion to prevent pensioners going cold

Liberal Democrat Cllr Michael Mitchell has proposed a motion to Exeter City Council to address pensioner fuel poverty.

This follows the recent announcement by the Labour Government to end universal winter fuel payments and restrict eligibility.

Cllr Michael Mitchell said: “It is important to put pressure on Labour to protect older people, who are particularly vulnerable to the cold.

“18,144 Exeter pensioners are set to lose out under the new rules, on incomes from just £11,500. How can it be just that eligibility ends far below the living wage?

“The new Labour government intends to tie Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit. But over a third of eligible pensioners don’t claim this and it risks cliff-edge support.

“In light of the Energy Price Cap rising by 10% as well, a review of the eligibility threshold and raising awareness of support is crucial to prevent pensioners going cold this Winter.”

Notes

Full motion by Councillor Michael Mitchell under Standing Order No. 6 to be presented at the 15th October Exeter City Council meeting

PROTECTING EXETER’S PENSIONERS FROM FUEL POVERTY

Exeter City 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 suggest that universal Winter Fuel Payments are not necessary, this 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).
 
20,384 pensioners in Exeter received winter fuel payments in 2022/23. Under the new policy only 2,240 pensioners will receive the benefit this year. 18,144 Exeter pensioners will lose this benefit under the new rules.
 
Council believes that the Labour Government has set the threshold at which pensioners do not qualify for Winter Fuel Payments far too low. Those whose income is 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 pension credit, currently over 880,000 eligible pensioners do not receive this benefit.
 
Council recognises the role we must 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 by the removal of Winter Fuel Payments will push many local pensioners into fuel poverty.  
 
Council resolves to:
Instruct the Leader of the Council and other Group Leaders to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the policy of 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. 
 
Council further requests the Leader of the Council and other Group Leaders to write to both MPs representing Exeter asking them to give their formal support to halting the proposed changes to the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility.
 
Urgently commence a significant awareness campaign to maximise uptake of pension credits and other benefits. This will include use of council noticeboards, social media, promotion in the local press and working with organisations such as Citizens Advice, Age UK and others.

Source: ALDC - Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors
The data used is the official Government figures for each local authority in England and Wales showing the number of pensioners who received the Winter Fuel Payment in 2022/23 and the number who are now eligible under the new rules – and the percentage change. 
Across all local authorities nationally the average fall in eligibility is 88%.