Proposed Winter Fuel Allowance cut could affect 172,000 Staffordshire pensioners says councillor

The community leaders have urged Stafford Borough Council to raise awareness of Pension Credit for older residents who may be eligible for it, as they would still be in line to claim Winter Fuel Allowance.

They fear that those who are just above the financial threshold for Pension Credit will be most affected if they are no longer able to claim the fuel allowance. And a motion put forward at Tuesday’s full council meeting called on the authority to back a petition being run by charity Age UK against the cut.

The motion also proposes finding other ways to support vulnerable pensioners affected by the policy decision, as well as prioritising funding to support those who will be worst hit. It was referred to the council’s cabinet for further consideration because it potentially involves financial decisions.

Opposition group leader Councillor Jeremy Pert, who presented the motion at Tuesday’s meeting, said: “In my view there is no mandate from the recent General Election for the Government to disadvantage so many older people while giving above inflation wage increases to their union mates and paymasters. There are 28,163 pensioners in Stafford Borough and 172,000 across Staffordshire who will not receive the Winter Fuel Allowance thanks to the Government’s proposals.

“For many of these people who were in receipt of Winter Fuel Allowance it was security to know they could put on the heating in winter when it was cold. The impact is not just being cold, it’s the worry and concern which could severely impact people’s mental health.

“Those in receipt of Winter Fuel Allowance are often furthest away from employment, so least able to do anything about replacing that money that is being stolen from them. The Winter Fuel Allowance brought in by Labour Chancellor Gordon Brown in 1997 was a universal allowance – the danger we are in now is cutting the allowance may be the start of things to come.

“We are talking about someone who is potentially just above the pension level of £11,300 who are now going to be £300 poorer. They are going to have to make the decision whether they heat or eat.

“Therefore this motion calls upon this council to look at finding different ways of mitigating the problem. Many people who are eligible for Pension Credits don’t claim them, so doing something to publicise that and encourage as many people to take them up seems to me a practical way of doing it.”

Councillor Ann Edgeller, who also proposed the motion, said: “I think I should declare an interest as I’m a pensioner and half the chamber should declare an interest. I’m standing here because I worry about the people that are £1 or £2 over the limit to get Pension Credit – these are the people we have got to worry about.

“I feel very strongly about how it is going to affect their health, not just mentally but physically. If they can’t heat their homes what are they going to do?

“What is this council going to do to help these people within the borough? I would ask the leader of the council would you write to the Prime Minister and tell him this council does not agree with this policy.”